Train passengers in the Netherlands should prepare for ongoing delays and fewer available seats in the coming months. Despite efforts to improve, the train service has faced many disruptions over the past six months, and these issues are expected to continue. The main reason for these problems is the large amount of maintenance work happening on the tracks.
In a recent update, leaders from the Dutch railway company and the organization responsible for maintaining the tracks explained the situation. They highlighted that major maintenance is planned on key routes, including those near Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport, and the line between Tilburg and Boxtel.
Problems with the High-Speed Rail
One of the biggest challenges is the High-Speed Rail (HSL) line. Due to construction errors, several bridges along this route are not strong enough, forcing trains to run at much lower speeds than intended. This has caused significant delays on the HSL line.
These slower speeds have greatly impacted the train schedule, especially on the HSL, where many of the most delayed routes are located. For example, the train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam is now on time less than 60% of the time.
What This Means for Passengers
Because of these ongoing issues, passengers can expect more delays and fewer seats on trains. The railway companies are working to fix these problems, but the necessary repairs will continue to disrupt service for the next few months.