NS urges travelers to plan ahead as Rotterdam, Amsterdam lines face delays this weekend

Rail travelers at Rotterdam Central Station can expect five days of disruption starting Monday due to emergency overhead line repairs, according to ProRail. The work begins at 5 a.m. on Monday and is expected to continue until 11 p.m. on Friday.

ProRail expects the greatest impact on Thursday, February 19, when tracks 9, 10, and 11 will be closed. “On the other days, disruptions will be minimal,” the rail operator said. “We understand this is inconvenient for passengers and transport providers, but the work cannot be postponed due to safety requirements on the tracks.”

“Last week’s track inspection revealed that the overhead wires under the roof of Rotterdam Central Station are worn,” the rail operator said. “The wires beneath the entire roof have deteriorated faster than anticipated and are well short of their expected lifespan. They need to be replaced, which will impact train services.”

This, while NS reported that, due to emergency repairs, trains to and from Duivendrecht will not run on Saturday, starting at noon. ProRail will be fixing two broken switches at the station over the weekend. The railway operator had already announced on Wednesday that, for the same reason, train services to and from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA will be suspended from noon on Saturday until Monday at 6 a.m.

Travelers between Utrecht and Schiphol are advised to reroute via Hilversum, and the same applies to those traveling between Utrecht and Amsterdam Central. NS will operate “very limited” bus services between Amsterdam Holendrecht and Breukelen, the railway operator said.

NS expects the greatest disruption on Saturday afternoon for travelers going south from Noord-Holland and for people attending events near Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA. Ajax will host Fortuna Sittard at the Johan Cruijff ArenA at 8 p.m., while rapper Cho performs at the Ziggo Dome from 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Carnival festivities will take place across the southern Netherlands this weekend.

“Carnival-goers can travel by train to the south on Saturday until noon,” an NS spokeswoman said. Afternoon, passengers should anticipate longer journeys and heavier crowds in both directions. Sunday will also see “limited train services,” NS added. Event-goers on Saturday evening are advised to use alternative transportation.

NS said it still needs time to reflect the schedule changes in its travel planner. On Wednesday, the operator expressed being “surprised” by the timing and scale of ProRail’s emergency works, leaving it with limited ways to minimize disruption for travelers.