NS and ProRail are placed under increased supervision

The House of Representatives wants to know from the Dutch Railways before the summer what steps the carrier and the rail manager will take to tackle the increasing disruptions on the track and the crowds in trains.

Based on a motion submitted by NSC, it has been decided that the Dutch Railways must come under “enhanced supervision” and conduct an investigation into the causes of the reduced performance. Almost all parties in the Chamber have supported the NSC proposal.

Disruptions

There are still too many problems, especially on the HSL. Disruptions are so frequent that the NS falls below the agreed minimum performance value, as laid down in the concession agreement with the ministry. There are also more frequent cancellations on other routes. The House therefore wants the NS and ProRail to investigate the deterioration in performance, because there is currently no “unambiguous picture” of this.

NSC insists that the concession be expanded with an additional program, which at least stipulates that NS is obliged to investigate the causes of the problems and draw up a step-by-step plan. “The motion is mainly an encouragement to the State Secretary to take control of the NS,” NSC MP Olger van Dijk told ANP.

NS CEO Wouter Koolmees has also indicated that things must indeed be improved: “We share the House’s insight that things must be improved and that a program under the concession can help with this.” He indicates that the NS has now started working more closely with ProRail to improve performance in the short term.

Rover: ‘Glad that the advice is being followed

Travelers association Rover had previously advocated stricter supervision and is pleased that this advice is being followed. “Rover is pleased that its advice is being followed by the House of Representatives and hopes that this will lead to greater reliability of the railway and therefore better services for train passengers,” the travelers association said on their website.