Scrapping rides: NS continues to cancel trains due to staff shortages

While it seems like an overplayed joke, it’s not just Dutch airports and airlines that are struggling with staff shortages.

The Netherlands’ railway company NS continues to cut train rides throughout July to cope with the lack of staff.

The company cancelled trains on six routes, two more than the week before, says RTL Nieuws.

Fewer Randstad trains

Overall, most of the affected trains are in the Randstad region of the Netherlands.

Travellers from The Hague, Rotterdam, and Gouda may have trouble getting around with sprinters only running two times an hour instead of the usual four.

Likewise, anyone who wants to visit Amsterdam from Enkhuizen or Eindhoven will have to plan carefully with only two sprinters and four intercity trains an hour.

Luckily, the Intercity Direct trains won’t be affected by the sparse schedule this week. Hopefully, passengers travelling from Amsterdam and Rotterdam can beat the scheduling chaos. 😰

Shortages across the board

Secretary of Infrastructure Vivianne Heijnen said staff shortages could last until after summer, according to the NOS. 😳

“There are shortages across the board. Of course, we don’t want to cancel trains, but we do this on routes where it hurts the least and where the personnel shortages are the greatest,” says an NS spokesperson. 😕

More than enough vacancies

When candidates apply for a job as a train driver or conductor, they can’t get to work immediately. Train driver training takes two years and conductors must follow a six-month course before they can even start checking tickets.

While there’s a major shortage of drivers and conductors, the NS is also looking for service employees and IT staff.

Have you had any problems with the trains in the Netherlands lately? What was your experience like? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image:Pexels
Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
Third culture kid Katrien is a Philippine native living in the Netherlands to finish her master's degree in political communication. You can usually find her trying to organize everything on Notion and the sticky notes app, otherwise, she’s nose-deep in a good book or obsessing over film soundtracks and video games.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related posts

Latest posts

More breathing room: the Netherlands is introducing a ‘smarter academic year’

Today, pilots for a "smarter academic year" are starting in the Netherlands. Kicking off the project is the University of Amsterdam. Over the next few...

This week’s Dutch regional public transport strikes cancelled, conversations continue

After weeks of strikes affecting regional public transportation in the Netherlands, transport staff will not strike this week.  This is the result of the talks...

Dutch Quirk #62: Wear enough animal print to scare Carole Baskin

In the Netherlands, animal print clothes are not just a passing trend, but something that has been a part of Dutch fashion for years...

It's happening

Upcoming events

The latest Dutch news.
In your inbox.