Fines to increase for NS, ProRail problems

The fines that the Dutch Railways (NS) and ProRail receive for malpractice will increase if they do not comply with the agreements for two years in a row, this Secretary Wilma Mansveld wrote to the Second Chamber today. The increasing fines for repeated poor performance are part of the new concession on the main railway for the next ten years. Mansveld published a draft version in April on which stakeholders and organizations could respond. Based on those responses she decided on the option of increasing fines. For the Dutch Railways the fine for a first breach of the agreements will be 500 thousand euros. For a second breach the fine will be 750 thousand euros and a third breach will be fined at 1 million euros. The fines for NS have been capped at 6.5 million euro per year. Lower fines will be applicable to ProRail. A first breach will be fined at 75 thousand euros, 100 thousand euros for the second breach, and 125 thousand euros for the third. The annual cap on fines for ProRail will be 2.75 million euro. For very good performance NS can look forward to a reward from Mansveld. If NS more than meets the agreements, for instance in punctuality and customer satisfaction, the reward can be up to 10 million euros.