NS to enhance northern, eastern train services

Direct relations and quicker intercity trains
One of the most significant improvements includes restoring direct train service from Groningen to Rotterdam, while also restoring direct peak-hour trains from Enschede to Amsterdam Centraal, making travel easier for commuters. During the weekends, the number of intercity trains operated between Amersfoort and Deventer will increase from two to three trains every hour, helping to solidify connections between Deventer, Apeldoorn and Amsterdam.

According to Tijmen Voet, NS Scheduling Managing Director, NS has been trying to connect northern Netherlands via high-speed rail for many years; however, they cannot do that in 2025, but they plan to have train service from Groningen Central Station, via the Hanzelijn to Zwolle and Schiphol, onto the HSL to Rotterdam Central. NS will operate service using the new ICNG intercity trains, which can travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour on HSL. Travel times will be further reduced when the speeds are increased on the Hanzelijn.

Increased frequency & schedule changes
The new plan calls for doubling the number of Sunday Sprinter trains between Den Haag and Dordrecht from 2 trains per hour to 4 trains per hour, while weekday Sprinter trains (between Den Haag and Dordrecht) would remain on the TienminutenSprinter schedule. On weekends, intercity trains from Den Haag Centraal to Amsterdam Centraal will include stops at Voorhout and Hillegom (the Sprinter services currently stop at Voorhout and Hillegom). Intercity trains from Amsterdam to Den Haag on weekends will operate earlier and later on Saturday and Sunday than they currently do, providing more flexibility for passengers.

Updated service plans
Each year, NS solicits input from passenger groups and regionally based authorities in an effort to improve service planning. Now, ProRail will review the proposed changes to determine their compatibility with both track and in-completion operation; both freight and passenger services will need to be considered. The final version of the 2027 timetable will be published in the Fall of 2023.