Dutch Rail Operator NS Unveils Major Timetable Overhaul for 2025

The Dutch railway operator NS has unveiled its most significant timetable revision in recent years. NS intends to add an extra 1,600 train services per week by 2025, with a focus on enhancing connectivity between Rotterdam and The Hague, as well as Rotterdam and Schiphol airport.

In pursuit of implementing these changes, NS has submitted an application to the government for approval of the new 2025 timetable, which includes requests for additional slots and services on the Dutch rail network. Although awaiting official endorsement, NS expresses confidence in the likelihood of approval, citing its track record of seldom encountering rejections for proposed timetables. The company asserts its prudent approach, stating, "We don't ask for what we can't get."

Among the planned enhancements, there will be increased frequency of sprinter services between Rotterdam, Dordrecht, and The Hague. Additionally, NS aims to elevate the significance of high-speed lines, particularly the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp corridor, within the national rail network. Future initiatives envision extending high-speed services from Amsterdam Zuid to destinations such as Almere, Lelystad, and Amersfoort, with further expansion plans targeting Zwolle, Leeuwarden, and Groningen.

Further adjustments include doubling the number of NS trains to Brussels, now totaling 32 trains per day, and introducing earlier and later train departures on select routes. Notably, additional trains will cater to passengers traveling between Arnhem, Utrecht, Schiphol, and Rotterdam, particularly those reliant on airport connections.