Operating expenses
Thanks in part to cost-saving initiatives, the level of costs in the Netherlands decreased by €26 million compared with 2020. Personnel expenses (excluding exceptional items) fell by €28 million, due in part to the fall in passenger numbers. On the other hand, depreciation costs (€59 million) increased due to the commissioning of new trains, investments in IT solutions, the franchise fee and the infrastructure levy (€14 million). The cost level in the United Kingdom decreased by €75 million. The cost level in Germany decreased as a result of deconsolidation. The partial realisation of the impairment for the main rail network franchise in the Netherlands (€1,562 million) recognised in 2020 has translated into lower depreciation (€149 million). Part of the provision for termination fees imposed by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and the impairment in 2020 (€702 million) recognised by Abellio UK was released in 2021 or reversed (€382 million), following a substantial downward adjustment of the definitive termination fees.
(in millions of euros) | 2021 | 2020 | ||
€ | % | € | % | |
Wages, salaries and social security charges | 2,222 | 34 | 2,250 | 34 |
Other personnel expenses | 96 | 1 | 90 | 1 |
Staff hired in | 95 | 1 | 114 | 2 |
Depreciation, amortisation and impairments | 967 | 15 | 888 | 13 |
Use of raw materials, consumables and inventories | 432 | 7 | 463 | 7 |
Capitalised production on behalf of own business | -99 | -2 | -137 | -2 |
Subcontracted work and other external costs | 712 | 11 | 747 | 11 |
Infrastructure levies and franchise fees | 1,439 | 22 | 1,515 | 23 |
Other operating expenses | 676 | 10 | 768 | 11 |
Total operating expenses before exceptional items | 6,540 | 100% | 6,698 | 100% |
Impact on the result as a consequence of the (reassessment of the) impairments and (release of) provisions for termination payments | -531 | 2,348 | ||
Total operating expenses | 6,009 | 9,046 |