Prepare for delays, cancellations, and overall chaos on your rail commute this morning, as a “signal failure” brings much of the Netherlands’ central and northern routes to a standstill.
The malfunction was first detected at around 5:30 AM, reports ProRail, and since then, failures have occurred at multiple locations across the central Netherlands.
In a news release, they warn that if you’re catching the train today, you’ll want to factor in possible delays, cancellations, and extra travel time.
To make matters worse, several level crossings are also malfunctioning, which could affect road traffic.
UPDATE: According to an edit by ProRail, “materials were found at multiple locations on the track that were deliberately placed there”, causing the malfunction. The rail manager suspects sabotage.
No word yet on when it’ll be fixed
ProRail says that specialists are working hard to trace the cause of the malfunction and get trains moving again.
However, there’s no current estimate for when rail travel will resume.
Rail employees are “working hard to clear these materials and make the situation safe”, and ProRail is currently in contact with national emergency services regarding the possible sabotage.
For now, the rail manager advises travellers to consult their journey planner for up-to-date travel information before heading to the station.
If you’ve got the NS or 9292 apps, you’ll want to plug your route in and keep an eye out for any changes — even if you aren’t in the affected region.
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