Sharp increase in ticketless riders, violent incidents on train between Zwolle and Emmen

The number of incidents involving ticketless riders and violent or aggressive incidents on the train between Zwolle and Emmen has increased alarmingly, RTV Oost reports based on figures from the province of Overijssel. Extra money and more security personnel seem to have no effect.

The biggest increase was in the number of “B incidents,” in which travelers are searched because they don’t have a ticket or refuse to identify themselves. In the first quarter of 2024, there were 331 such incidents, up from just 40 a year earlier.

The number of violent or aggressive incidents, in which train staff are harassed or assaulted, also increased. Arriva employees were physically assaulted on the train four times in the first quarter. There were also eight cases of threats or intimidation, illegal weapon possession, or theft.

For years, the Vechtdal line, as the route between Zwolle and Emmen is known, has been plagued by incidents. Locals blame its proximity to the asylum registration center in Ter Apel, according to the broadcaster. In 2021, Overijssel allocated 1 million euros to curb nuisance on the route. That money was invested in extra security teams to support enforcement officers on the train and on the platform, among other things.

Arriva attributes the increase in incidents to the fact that travelers are no longer checked on the platform but on the train. “In other words: the fare dodgers are already on the train when they are caught at the checks. Since April last year, the additional Service & Safety team has also been on call on the route. That is reflected in the figures,” Arriva spokesperson told the broadcaster. According to RTV Oost, the figures indeed show a decrease in incidents after the first quarter of 2023.

“Shocking,” Wim Eilert of the trade union VVMC told RTV Oost in response to the figures. “It is now more luck than wisdom that there has not yet been a fatality. The level of aggression has become much worse.” He appealed to politicians to allocate even more money to addressing the “nuisance train.” He also urged Arriva to restore access controls on the platform. “Then you ensure that you do not have those causing nuisance on the train at the start of the journey.”

The province of Overijssel allocated 1 million euros annually until 2027 to improve safety on the train. “The resources allocated for the Vechtdal line are there to keep incidents manageable,” a spokesperson for the province said. “What we get from the figures is that the stewards on the train have a better sense of safety because the backup team can come to the rescue if necessary.”