If your commute takes you between Utrecht and Amsterdam, brace yourself: train services on some of the Netherlands’ busiest routes are being cut from Monday, May 18, until Monday, May 25.
ProRail will be spending next week on some much-needed maintenance work between Utrecht Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal, including improving track alignment and replacing some signals.
While that’s great for the Dutch rail system, it’s going to be less fun for your commute, with fewer trains and longer travel times.
Here’s what’s changing
The NS reports that routes between Utrecht Centraal and Schiphol, Utrecht Centraal and Arnhem, Utrecht Centraal and Almere Centrum, and Amsterdam Centraal and Alkmaar are all affected.
1. Fewer Intercity trains
The key change to your route will be fewer Intercity trains between Utrecht Centraal, Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Zuid, and Schiphol Airport.
At just four Intercity trains per hour, your commute will likely be busier than usual — so expect packed carriages.
If your final destination is Amsterdam Muiderpoort, you’re advised to reroute via Amsterdam Centraal.
Meanwhile, travellers to Duivendrecht can use metro line 54 between Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA and Amsterdam Amstel (your NS ticket is valid for the metro).
2. No Sprinters between Breukelen and Amsterdam Centraal
Helaas, Sprinters are entirely off the table on this route, although the NS will be operating replacement buses between Breukelen and Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA.
READ MORE | A guide to night buses and night trains in the Netherlands
The good news is that if you need to hop off at one of the intermediate stations along this route, the buses will still service these stops.
Heading to one of the evening concerts at the Johan Cruijff ArenA next week? The NS advises you to find alternative transport due to the lack of trains to and from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station.
NS recommends checking their journey planner shortly before you leave for the most up-to-date information on your route.
Is your commute getting hit by the works next week? Drop a comment below and let us know how you’re planning to get around.
