Train service still out after power cut

NS is still struggling to get back on on track after the massive power outage that affected large parts of Noord-Holland and Flevoland this morning. Hundreds of passengers are still stranded at Utrecht Centraal, staring helplessly at the information boards that only state that no train traffic is possible in a wide radius around Amsterdam Centraal and north of Leiden, Utrecht and Hilversum. Amsterdam's public transit operator GVB at least reports that most Amsterdam trams and some subway service is up and running again. Hospitals are running on emergency power, according to the AD. Their emergency rooms and intensive care units are operational, but many medical appointments had to be cancelled. NS reports that there are currently no trains to and from Amsterdam Centraal, Schiphol, Alkmaar, Almere and Haarlem. They advise travelers to try and use another route and to take extra travel time of more than an hour into account. NS can not say how long this disturbance will last. Some travelers at Utrecht Centraal are trying to make the best of a bad situation by enjoying a snack and a coffee at one of the various kiosks and snack bars on the station. NS is also offering free coffee, which has been accepted gratefully because of the long queues at the kiosks, AD reports. Other players have started playing music with whatever instruments they have on hand. "I'm here now still waiting", a boy at a piano said to the newspaper. He and another passenger with a guitar are trying to bring a bit of cheer. "This is how we make the wait more bearable."