NS launches 2016 train schedule on Sunday

The Dutch national railway NS launched a new timetable on Sunday. The new schedule features a number of significant changes, as well as the renaming of several train stations. Among those, Station Schiphol is now called “Schiphol Airport.” Also, Eindhoven Breukenlaan is now known as “Eindhoven Strijp-S,” while Enschede Drienerlo was renamed as “Enschede Kennispark.” Service between Alkmaar and Haarlem was reduced except during rush hour, and the number of stops the intercity trains will make on that Noord-Holland route will also decrease. However, train service is increased at Utrecht Lunetten, and also on the weekends between Groningen and Drenthe. Over the course of 2016, more high speed trains will connect Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and Intercity trains on the route will travel every 15 minutes by July. Changes were also introduced by international carriers, with the Thalys adding a train a day for travel to Brussels, Lille and Paris. There will also be a later ICE train between Germany and the Netherlands starting next year. The schedule was published on the NS website, and travellers may use the site or the railway's app for up to date travel information, the firm said.