The largest rail carrier in the Netherlands - NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) - is reducing the number of trains within the country. Trips will have to be planned more carefully, they will become longer.
On June 10, 2022, it became known that the NS is starting to reduce the number of trains on domestic lines. So, trains between Utrecht Central and Almere Centrum will not run until 19:30. You can get from one point to another by a detour through Weesp, but the journey will take about fifteen minutes more. On the route between Utrecht Central and Rotterdam Central, the number of Intercity trains will be reduced, so the trip will also be extended by about fifteen minutes. From June 13, the number of trains between Rotterdam, Schiphol and Arnhem will be reduced.
The NS company reported that the congestion of running trains will also increase. However, representatives of the company are confident that they will be able to transport everyone, as the total load of trains reaches only 80% of the number of passengers in the record year 2019.
Reduced the number of trains and another rail carrier - the company Arriva. Fewer trains operate on the Leeuwarden-Groningen and Groningen-Delfzijl routes, with one train per hour between Groningen and Wendam.
The reason for the reduction in the number of trains is the lack of staff
Railway companies explain their actions by the lack of workers to ensure quality and safe transportation. This is partly due to a combination of absenteeism, summer vacations and distraction of employees for training and exams. It should be understood that railway companies lack not only drivers and conductors, but also other workers: mechanics, security and maintenance staff, IT staff, cashiers. At NS alone, about 1100 vacancies have not been filled.
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Publication Date: 13.06.2022
