How Train Wrapping Improves Passenger Experience

For railway operators, ensuring a positive passenger experience while minimizing operational disruptions is a constant challenge. Maintenance teams must balance efficiency, branding, and long-term durability without causing unnecessary downtime.

NS (Dutch Railways) has explored innovative ways to enhance its trains while keeping them in service. One of the approaches they tested was the use of high-quality film for both interior and exterior applications. Their research has shown that this method not only improves train aesthetics but also has a measurable impact on passenger perception.

The Link Between Train Design and Passenger Behavior

Mark van Hagen, a researcher specializing in customer experience at NS, has studied how the design of train interiors and exteriors influences passenger behavior. His findings revealed that people react unconsciously to their environment, affecting their level of comfort and engagement during their journey.

As part of their research, NS conducted experiments with wrapped train interiors, transforming carriages into different themed spaces, a library or a forest. The results were striking: passengers in the library-themed train spoke less and kept conversations shorter, reflecting an intuitive response to the surroundings.

A Practical Solution for Branding and Maintenance

Beyond its psychological effects, wrapping also provided NS with practical advantages:

• Fast Implementation: Unlike traditional painting, film application is quicker, allowing for rapid transformations without long maintenance windows.
• Adaptability: Film can be easily updated or removed without affecting the train’s surface, offering flexibility for branding changes or operational needs.
• Operational Efficiency: Some wraps include protective coatings that reduce cleaning time and maintenance efforts, addressing key operational pain points.

The Role of Fleetshield

Fleetshield has worked closely with NS in implementing film-based solutions for various projects, including branding updates and passenger experience enhancements. Their expertise in selecting the right materials and ensuring seamless application has contributed to NS’s ability to test and execute these concepts effectively.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleetshield also provided NS with antibacterial film for high-touch surfaces and quickly implemented wayfinding solutions to support passenger flow and social distancing measures.

A Smart Approach to Train Enhancement

The use of film on trains has proven to be more than just a visual upgrade, it serves as a tool for improving passenger experience while offering a practical, cost-effective solution for railway operators. NS’s research highlights how design influences behavior, and film provides a flexible way to adapt train environments without significant operational disruptions.

By integrating film into their strategy, NS has demonstrated that small changes can have a big impact, both for passengers and for maintenance teams, striving to keep operations running smoothly.