Train punctuality at Amsterdam CS, Zuid stations has been deteriorating since 2016

Train punctuality at Amsterdam Central Station and Amsterdam Zuid station has been deteriorating since 2016, AT5 reports based on punctuality figures from ProRail. Over 10 percent of trains have arrived late for years. The high-speed line (HSL) between Amsterdam and Rotterdam is particularly a problem.

ProRail and NS consider a train late if it arrives more than 5 minutes after schedule. They also keep track of trains arriving more than 15 minutes after schedule. The standard is that 91.5 percent of trains must run with less than 5 minutes delay and 97.4 percent with less than 15 minutes delay. The standard for the HSL is that 84.2 percent of trains must arrive with less than 5 minutes delay.

Amsterdam CS and Amsterdam Zuid briefly met those targets during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to far fewer travelers and thinned-out timetables. But punctuality at these stations has been deteriorating since 2016.

Last year, only 87.5 percent of trains arrived at Amsterdam CS with less than five minutes of delay. So far this year, only 84.8 percent were punctual. On the HSL, 73.5 percent of trains were punctual last year, and 66.4 percent in the first half of this year. Zuid staiton is doing a bit better, but still not meeting targets. There, 88.1 percent of trains were punctual in the first half of 2024.

Since 2020, there have been 14 large train traffic disruptions around Amsterdam CS and Zuid stations, causing train traffic to be halted for at least two hours. More than half were caused by a collision or near miss on the track. The others arose from defective bridges, trains, overhead lines, or switches.

The biggest problem on the HSL is speed limits imposed due to construction errors causing safety concerns. On top of that, NS is struggling with personnel and equipment shortages, the Dutch rail company told AT5. That means running shorter trains and with less buffer space in the timetable.

In its annual support, ProRail said it was trying to organize the track so that trains run on time. Many of the speed restrictions on the HSL should be lifted by the end of the year, resulting in fewer delays, for example. It is also trying to create sufficient buffer space in the timetable, which is currently often planned very tightly. ProRail is also working to reduce disruptions.