17. Inventories

The inventories of maintenance materials consist of raw materials and other materials for the production and maintenance of finished and semi-finished products for the maintenance centres.

18. Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables includes an amount of €31 million (2022: €117 million) relating to ProRail and the Dutch central government.

19. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and bank balances at 31 December 2023 amounted to €460 million and were fully at the free disposal of the company (31 December 2022: €396 million, fully at the free disposal of the company).

20. Accrued and deferred items

Accruals and deferred income as at 31 December 2023 amounted to €8 million (31 December 2022: €9 million).

21. Trade and other liabilities

Trade and other liabilities includes an amount of €29 million (2022: €24 million) relating to ProRail and the Dutch central government.

22. Deferred income

The deferred income of €590 million (2022: €565 million) consists mainly of amounts for student public transport passes received in advance and season ticket payments received in advance in the Netherlands.