NS trains to run reduced schedule Wednesday; “Significant disruption” due to snowfall

Trains in the Netherlands will again operate on a reduced, winter weather timetable on Wednesday due to predictions of snowfall over the course of the day. The winter weather will likely lead to cancellations and delayed trains, cautioned national rail service NS and railroad infrastructure firm ProRail.

“Starting Wednesday morning, we expect hours of snowfall across much of the country. As in recent days, the snow could unfortunately cause significant disruption to passenger and freight carriers,” ProRail wrote in a statement. "Carriers are therefore adjusting their timetables as a precaution."

"To ensure you have a reliable and safe journey, the winter timetable will be in effect again tomorrow. This means that fewer NS trains will be running on some routes," the NS said. "Please allow for extra travel time, more frequent transfers, and crowded trains."

With a winter timetable, the NS still looks to get two trains up and running per hour on most routes. Even still, the cold weather caused significant issues with the NS on Tuesday, with no trains available to or from Schiphol Airport throughout the day, and limited service in the Amsterdam region.

Routes were also hindered between Rotterdam, Breda, Tilburg and Eindhoven, between Leeuwarden, the city of Groningen, and provincial Groningen, and also on routes in Gelderland and Limburg. It was not yet clear which of the routes disrupted on Tuesday could be available to return to even the reduced capacity.

The NS warned that fewer Intercity trains will operate on many routes across the country. There will also be a reduction in its Sprinter service.

"Trains may also depart at a different time than you're used to. Traveling abroad? Travel earlier and allow extra time for any transfers," the NS said.

NS Reducing Intercity Trains On These Routes on Jan. 7:

1. Alkmaar/Den Helder – Amsterdam Centraal – Utrecht Centraal – Sittard Amsterdam Centraal – Den Haag Centraal Amsterdam Centraal – Enkhuizen Den Haag Centraal – Utrecht Centraal
2. Dordrecht – Lelystad Centrum Roosendaal – Vlissingen Rotterdam Centraal– Utrecht Centraal
3. Rotterdam Centraal – Den Haag HS Schiphol Airport – Utrecht Centraal – Nijmegen Utrecht Centraal – Amersfoort Centraal – Deventer

NS Reducing Sprinter Trains On These Routes on Jan. 7:

Entire Day

1. Alphen a/d Rijn – Gouda
2. Arnhem Centraal – Nijmegen
3. Den Haag Centraal – Dordrecht
4. Hilversum – Almere Centrum
5. Hoofddorp – Amsterdam Centraal
6. Amsterdam-Uitgeest
7. Utrecht Centraal – Hilversum – Weesp – Hoofddorp

During Rush Hours

• Alkmaar – Beverwijk
• Den Haag Centraal – Gouda Goverwelle
• Groningen – Assen
• Utrecht Centraal – Driebergen-Zeist
• Utrecht Centraal – Leiden Centraal