NS CEO warns travelers that some trains will be late again in the autumn

CEO Wouter Koolmees of the Dutch Railways (NS) expects a "tough autumn" for train passengers because it is unlikely that enough trains will run on time. "The reality is that our problems will not be solved overnight; I do not know when they will be solved."

The problems on the leading Dutch rail network causing delays are increasing. They are mainly caused by a shortage of trains, temporary speed limitations on unstable pieces of railway tracks, and more construction disturbing the schedules.

High-speed lines (HSL) especially have a lot of "headaches," according to Koolmees. Trains that are usually allowed to travel 300 kilometers per hour can only travel 80 kilometers per hour on some track pieces because the viaducts they drive on are too unstable.

In addition, more construction is planned for next year. "The number of construction projects that we are going to carry out in 2025 is 30 percent higher than in 2022," said CEO John Voppen of rail infrastructure manager ProRail. "We are doing everything in our power to reach our goals, but it will be very difficult." This is partly because a lot of the infrastructure is outdated. "It needs to be replaced every 40 years, but we also want to be prepared for the future."

ProRail is also struggling with a staff shortage. “There are so few electricians we have tried to get them from everywhere,” said Voppen. The CEO said that this leads to project setbacks.

The NS wants to combat its own staff shortages by training more mechanics, machinists, and conductors. "We are actively recruiting, so the inflow is high, and the courses are full," says Koolmees.