NS is also registering for ‘open access’ on international rail

The NS really believes that worldwide prepare journeys from the Netherlands can greatest be laid down in everlasting contracts with the federal government for companies on the principle rail community. Till now, the federal government has all the time awarded this concession for almost all of the Dutch rail community to NS. However the authorities might open up the rail community to all prepare journey suppliers who’re keen and capable of provide worldwide journey, which is named open entry.

To be on the protected aspect, the corporate has subsequently utilized earlier than the deadline to proceed providing prepare journey to London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Vienna and Paris. These are locations to which NS already presents prepare journeys along with companions corresponding to Thalys or Eurostar.

Not too long ago, quite a few smaller Dutch transport corporations have introduced their intention to supply worldwide prepare journeys by way of open entry. Qbuzz, owned by Italian railways, set out plans on Monday to run between Amsterdam and Paris and Berlin from 2027. Deutsche Bahn subsidiary Arriva got here up with a plan for trains between Groningen and Paris per week earlier.

Based mostly on all purposes, the cupboard decides whether or not the worldwide prepare connections shall be left available on the market or awarded by way of contracts with the federal government. The NS is in favor of the latter as a result of it will provide extra safety for vacationers. “With open entry, carriers drive at their very own threat, so they may additionally abruptly cease,” says a spokesperson. “And we earn between 30 and 40 million euros on these worldwide traces. If that cash goes to a overseas shareholder, it is gone. We make investments this within the Dutch railway or switch it to the Ministry of Finance.”