Home Blog Page 342

Later trains and fewer seats: NS performs worse in 2022 than in 2021

Francesca Burbano
-
1
Later trains and fewer seats: NS performs worse in 2022 than in 2021

Oh, public transportation! To all train-goers waiting for their train to arrive in the cold weather, only to be met with delays and crowded aisles, NS confirms that 2022 was a difficult year.  

In 2022, fewer trains arrived on time, and passengers had a lower chance of finding seating during rush hours, reports NRC. 

Based on the preliminary figures for 2022, there was a 3% decrease in train performance in 2022 compared to 2021. 

Timetable adjustments and staff shortage

NS had its fair share of major problems this year due to the aftermath of the coronavirus, which led to a shortage of conductors and operators. 

To make sure the trains would still be up and running, NS had to adjust their timetables with evening timetables starting earlier than usual.

The result? NS ran fewer trains, and trains were by far the busiest, with overcrowded passengers having to stand as there would be no place to sit. šŸ§

With such problems, many train passengers took to Twitter to complain about how packed the trains would be and how trains would be either delayed or cancelled. 

Problems on the high-speed lines

Due to damage involving cracks in the welds in some tracks, Intercity trains slowed down to as low as 80 kilometres per hour, instead of the usual 160 to 300 kilometres per hour. 

Trains on the high-speed lines to Brussels, Paris, and London were delayed and arrived later than other trains. The problem remains unclear, and delays could continue for months to come.Ā 

READ MORE | Packed NS trains: complaints rise as number of trains drop

2023 train expectations

With a new timetable for 2023, which started on December 11, NS believes it will be able to perform better and improve its services by extending a third of its trains. 

Wouter Koolmees, president-direction of NS, announced that ā€œthe 2023 timetable will be a turning point and is more closely linked to the new travel behaviour with structurally fewer travels and more people working from home. This is the new foundation we can build on.ā€

With a new year approaching, letā€™s hope travelling with NS makes a comeback! šŸ’Ŗ

What do you think about the NS train problems as a passenger? Tell us in the comments below!

Even Heineken is struggling: prices to rise by almost 11% on January 1

Lyna Meyrer šŸ‡±šŸ‡ŗ
-
0
Even Heineken is struggling: prices to rise by almost 11% on January 1

Dutch beer brewing giant Heineken has informed hospitality businesses that their beer and cider prices are set to rise by January 1. Just in time for our New Yearā€™s resolutions!

After a previous price increase of 3.4% in January 2022 and 5.8% in August, Heineken will raise the prices of beer and cider once again, by an average of 10.7%.

Un-beer-able costs

The Dutch love a lekker biertje, so why make it more expensive, Heineken?

Well, weā€™re sure you guessed itā€¦ inflation. Worldwide, prices are rising sharply in all industries, which also applies to beer brewing. šŸ“ˆ

In a letter to horeca entrepreneurs, Heineken states: ā€œWhether itā€™s transportation, raw materials like malt and hops or packaging materials like cardboard and aluminium; prices skyrocket when it comes to brewing, packaging and transporting our beers.ā€

The word horeca is a syllabic abbreviation ofĀ the words hotel, restaurant and catering and refers to the hospitality industry.

While not all costs are passed onto the consumer, Heineken cannot avoid giving some of them to the hospitality industry.

As De Telegraaf writes, it is unclear whether Heineken will also increase the cost of their refreshments at supermarkets and other stores. 

How about the competitors? 

While Swinkels Family Brewers, the parent company of Bavaria, claims that a price increase is not an issue for them, other Dutch breweries have also announced price increases.

READ MORE | Is Dutch beer the best in Europe? The Netherlands is the top exporter, once again

Last week, Grolsch announced that prices for hospitality customers would go up by 6.8% in the coming January. 

And the Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) points out that more such price increases, while not announced yet, are certainly on their way. šŸ˜³

The catering industry is not amused

While Heinekenā€™s struggle with inflation is understandable, they are not the only ones having to adjust to rising prices, and owners of horeca businesses are shocked at Heinekenā€™s news. 

READ MORE | Crisis in HORECA: Dutch restaurants forced to recruit cooks from abroad

The Dutch catering industry is already struggling with a number of obstacles. From the rising cost of energy, rent, and staff, to corona debts, employee shortages, and declining consumer confidence ā€” the rise in beer prices is not appreciated. 

The KHN has entered into contact with the Vereniging Nederlandse Brouwers (Union of Dutch Brewers) to express its dissatisfaction and ask for clarificationā€¦ Letā€™s drink to that? šŸ˜¬šŸ»

Will you still be drinking Heineken after the price increase? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Geen white Christmas for the Netherlands this year, but pollen instead

Liana Risseeuw šŸ‡±šŸ‡°
-
0
Geen white Christmas for the Netherlands this year, but pollen instead

If you’ve had your heart set on making snow angels in the frosty whiteness this winter, you may have to stock up on tissues instead. šŸ¤§

With Dutch weather icing up over the past few days, many of us had our fingers crossed for a white Christmas. However, according to WeerOnline, an ‘official’ white Christmas is off the cards.

To add insult to injury, the Netherlands may have swapped a snowy winter for hay fever!

Sniff, sniff ā€” hay fever is on the rise

The unseasonably high winter temperatures in October and November have caused certain plants to start flowering early, reports RTL Nieuws.

According to biologist Arnold van Vliet of Wageningen University, these shrub and tree species release their sneeze-inducing pollen during the flowering process.

READ MORE | Pollen, allergies, and hay fever in the Netherlands: how to survive it

Given that these species have started blooming early this year, we’re likely to see a longer hay fever season.

As a result, those that catch a cold over the winter need to keep in mind that they may be suffering from hay fever instead.

Hoera, expect typical Dutch rain, too

Grab your umbrellas and waterproof clothes, because today is expected to be overcast and rainy.

READ MORE | How to survive the Dutch winter: weather, clothing, and more

Although the day gets off to a gloomy start, NU.nl reports that temperatures will warm up as the day progresses, with afternoon highs of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.

Wednesday is predicted to be the hottest day, with temperatures of around 11 degrees Celsius. Expect to see occasional periods of sunshine peeking out from behind clouds, fog, and brief rain showers. šŸŒ¦ļø

Thursday and Friday, unfortunately, will likely see a return to soaking-wet weather.

Are you prepared for a potentially sniffly winter? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Upcoming rail work will disrupt train commutes on at least 40 tracks in 2023

Heather Slevin
-
0
Upcoming rail work will disrupt train commutes on at least 40 tracks in 2023

If you had your fingers crossed that the NS would make a New Years’ Resolution, and become an efficient, reliable train service in 2023… well, prepare for disappointment.

Due to the need for rail work on the train tracks of 40 routes across the Netherlands, ProRail, the organisation responsible for the maintenance of the railway network, has revealed a list of the routes that will be out of service for ‘at least’ three days next year, reports RTL Nieuws.

Better get the bus, schat

Maintenance means that passengers must take alternative modes of transport for part or all of their usual routes.

A big major inconvenience to us, but apparently, the maintenance is needed. Freek Bos of the Rover passenger organisation says, “large parts of the track are at the end of their life”.

People with lower incomes may be granted free travel with their OV chipkaart but can’t actually get anywhere on their normal routes. šŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļø

Routes such as Zaandam to Hoorn and Haarlem to Leiden will be under construction for up to seven days next year.

Routes to be disturbed over 650 times during the weekends

ProRail has outlined the dates of which train routes will be affected during the weekdays but hasn’t included weekend maintenance schedules.

ProRail wants to work on the railway lines more than in previous years, leading to major disturbances.

Train commutes are increasingly difficult nowadays. Between massively cramped NS trains and train strikes, the maintenance adds another layer of stress.

All of this is due to worker shortages and changing train schedules, to prevent cancellations and stranded passengers.

Will your usual route be affected by the construction? Tell us in a comment below! šŸ‘‡

ā€˜A crime against humanity’, Rutte apologises for scars left by slave past

Eva Gabriella
-
0
ā€˜A crime against humanity’, Rutte apologises for scars left by slave past

Prime Minister Mark Rutte has made a speech at the National Archives in The Hague about the role the Netherlands played in slavery. Hereā€™s a breakdown of what was said…

For the first time ever, the Dutch cabinet acknowledged the Netherlandsā€™ involvement in the slave trade as a ā€œcrime against humanityā€ and something that has caused ā€œgreat suffering that continues to affect the lives of people here and now.”

Rutte apologised to the individual countries that bore the violence of the Dutch transatlantic slave trade and fueled the Dutch ā€˜Golden Age.ā€™

“For centuries, the Dutch State has enabled, encouraged and profited from slavery. For centuries people have been commodified, exploited and traded in the name of the Dutch State.ā€

A debated date

July 1 2023, marks the 160-year celebration of the abolition of slavery, so why is the cabinet apologising today?

READ MORE | The life of the slaves in the Dutch colonies.

Itā€™s a topic of debate that everyone is scratching their heads at. 

On November 3, the Dutch government arranged the current date to make a formal apology for the Netherlandsā€™ involvement in slavery.

Many believe that the decision to apologise today is ill-prepared, rushed, and that the King should make an apology instead of the Prime Minister.

However, speaking today, Rutte explained the cabinetā€™s justification for delivering the speech now. ā€œAfter long conversations and discussions internally, we concluded that it was best to do it before the start of the important year of 2023.ā€ 

READ MORE | Dutch slavery: our dark past.

Others would disagree, ā€œwe do not want to say that December 19 is too early, because the apologies are already too late,ā€ Johan Roozer of the National Commemoration of Slavery Past Suriname tells RTL Nieuws.

In spite of this, many organisations have expressed the need to discuss the content, tone, and value of the apology, which they feel they have not had enough time to do.

An empty gesture or the beginning of healing?

Various parties arenā€™t confident that the apology will solve all differences between organisations and the cabinet.

ā€œThe way the apology has gone has diminished the credibility that something happens after the apology,ā€ Roozer tells RTL Nieuws before todayā€™s speech.

Rutte acknowledges that attempts to do justice for injustice will always raise eyebrows and agrees that all efforts couldā€™ve been better ā€” but said that shouldnā€™t be a reason to do nothing.

ā€œThe healing process must now begin, and we will write the programme for this together,” he says. ā€œWe cannot erase the past, only face it.ā€

What are your thoughts on the Netherlandsā€™ apology? Tell us in the comments below.

This Amsterdam based company is helping to find lost cats across the world

Francesca Burbano
-
0
This Amsterdam based company is helping to find lost cats across the world

Lost your cat? No more plastering ‘Missing’ posters on street lights or joining Facebook groups. The online service, CatRadar, helps owners track their beloved pets through social media ads across the Netherlands and abroad.Ā 

The result? In one year, the Amsterdam-based company has reunited more than a thousand cats with their worried owners, reports Nu.nl. šŸˆ

With a success rate of 68%, CatRadar (KattenRadar in Dutch) has expanded globally and is now available in England, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Dutch innovation strikes again!Ā 

Whoā€™s behind it?

Meet David Olthaar and TomĀ Beusch, both 25 years old and friends since high school. They share one objective: bring home as many cats as possible. How heartwarming! šŸ„°

Their business stems from one fateful day. While cycling home after work one day, David saw a poster of a missing cat, and he sympathised with the owners.

At the time, he worked as a marketing manager for dating app, Breeze, where he set up Facebook ads. With his knowledge, David knew that a search could be more effective in 2022.

As a result, he and Tom ā€” both computer science students ā€” founded and built their heel handig (very handy) platform.

How does it work?

Everything happens online. Using the website, the owner adds in the missing catā€™s information, including its name, photo, description, and home address. 

With this, the startup then buys advertising space for Facebook and Instagram to make sure the missing cat is a top priority. Within fifteen minutes, the search becomes live. šŸ¾

Translation: Missing in your neighbourhood! Check, please, in sheds, garden houses, attics, and closed rooms. Spotted Knoet? Let us know!

CatRadar grabs the attention of as many neighbours as possible. Since time is of the essence, the missing reports will only show up for people who live in the proximity of the missing animal. 

READ MORE | Getting a pet in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

If someone finds a cat, the steps are easy! They can contact CatRadar, and the tips will be forwarded directly to the catā€™s owner by email or phone.Ā 

The result? Cat and owner are reunited ā€” and someone’s casual scrolling through their social media apps is the reason why. 

Would you use this online service if your cat was missing? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

The Netherlands just welcomed a new night train (and southerners are going to love it!)

MihƔly Droppa
-
3
The Netherlands just welcomed a new night train (and southerners are going to love it!)

Living in the South of the Netherlands? Then getting to Schiphol for that early morning flight must be a nightmare! Not anymore thoughā€¦ 

The German railway company, Arriva, wants to compete with our beloved NS and has launched a new night train from Maastricht to Schiphol airport. 

This way, travellers from the south can at least catch some shut-eye before tackling the chaos that is Schiphol. 

Comfortable and cost effective

Not only is this a much more comfortable option (have you tried to sleep on an NS train before?), but compared to the current NS prices, it will also be way cheaper. 

Tickets will only cost ā‚¬10 for a one-way ride, metro reports. For context, this ticket would usually cost a whopping ā‚¬27.90 with the NS. 

The route

The new night train will take you not only to Schiphol airport, but it will also stop along the road at Sittard, Roermond, Weert, Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Utrecht, Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena, and Amsterdam Zuid stations. 

READ MORE: The NS is changing its trains: hereā€™s what you need to know

While southerners may be popping the champagne bottles right now, the good news is also coming for northerners. Arriva also plans to start an additional line from Groningen at the beginning of 2023. 

The schedule

For now, there will be one train per week that will leave Maastricht station at 1:01 AM on Fridays. The train will arrive at 3:15 AM at Schiphol Airport, meaning itā€™s perfect for those who want to catch their early morning zombie flight. 

READ MORE: Dinner time! Man uses air fryer to cook kaasoufflƩs on NS train

The train then departs from the airport at 5:40 AM and arrives back at 7:57 AM. 

Ok, whatā€™s the catch?

Listen, itā€™s 2022, and we all know at this stage that good things come with at least a few strings attached. Letā€™s talk about them. 

Firstly, itā€™s worth noting that because Arriva is a separate company, you wonā€™t be able to use your OV chip card (or your discount) for your travel. Instead, you will need to purchase your ticket on the Arriva app ā€” not too bad, right? 

READ MORE: Packed NS trains: complaints rise as number of trains drop

Secondly, the ticket will guarantee you a place to sit, however, if your train is late, you will only be reimbursed the cost of the ticket, thereā€™ll be no extra compensation. 

Will you use the new night train? Tell us in the comments!

Dutchman (24) dies after being hit by firework

Liana Risseeuw šŸ‡±šŸ‡°
-
0
Dutchman (24) dies after being hit by firework

A 24-year-old Dutchman’s life was tragically cut short last Saturday after fireworks exploded in his face.

One of the witnesses to the accident was a doctor, who immediately performed CPR on the victim until he could be taken to the hospital.

Sadly, however, the young man died upon being admitted.

Family member arrested

The police arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly set off the fireworks after two more deadly fireworks were found in his pocket, reports the NOS.

READ MORE | German police find 350,000 kilos of fireworks intended for the illegal Dutch market

According to local residents, both the victim and the arrested man were related to each other.

They had, apparently, been attending a family event in Ridderkerk, after which they decided to set off some fireworks.

A grief-stricken family

A 62-year-old man was also arrested. He would turn out to be the victim’s father, who happened to be an emergency worker himself and was attempting to resuscitate his son.

READ MORE | ā‚¬10 million in firework damages fire up a Dutch security concern

Unable to resuscitate the victim, the 62-year-old then became overwhelmed by emotion. As a result, police were forced to arrest him for obstruction.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup šŸ“®

Code orange issued around the Netherlands due to ice and slipperiness

Eva Gabriella
-
0
Code orange issued around the Netherlands due to ice and slipperiness

Orange alert! The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) has issued a warning for slipperiness throughout the Netherlands today. Prepare yourself for some cold feet. šŸ„¶

The KNMI has announced that black ice will form on all roads throughout the country.

In due season, temperatures have dropped below freezing over the past week. The weather institute has issued a warning for a nationwide ice rink. ā„ļø

A slippery Sunday

Freezing rain will fall from Zeeland towards Groningen, causing treacherously slippery roads right outside your front door until evening.

If youā€™re brave enough to take on the perilous snow globe, the KNMI has some advice:

Translation: From the end of the afternoon, #codeoranje applies. There is a risk of large-scale slipperiness throughout the country. What can you expect, and what can you do at #gladheid due to black ice? https://knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/waarschuwingen/gladheidā€¦ #knmiwaarschuwing

Put on your skates, or cosy up with a warm cup of chocomel. Weā€™ll definitely be doing the latter. ā˜•

What do you think of the KNMIā€™s warning? Tell us in the comments below.

Hidden… treasure? Mummified animal discovered by new homeowners in Dutch town

Lyna Meyrer šŸ‡±šŸ‡ŗ
-
0
Hidden… treasure? Mummified animal discovered by new homeowners in Dutch town

In Ede, a small town in the province of Gelderland, new homeowners received quite the shock when they discovered what is believed to be either a mummified dog or fox under the carport of their 1968 house.

The mummified carcass was found after the owners of the house, who only moved in recently, were doing some renovation work, Omroep Gelderland reports.

The animal, which is thought to be either a greyhound-like dog or else a fox, has a broken paw and a punctured ribcage but is otherwise in a goodā€¦ preserved state. šŸ•

What do the experts say?

Contradicting things, as usual ā€” they are not quite sure what animal they have at hand. šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø

Taxidermist Erwin van Zoelen believes the carcass to be that of a fox, while Daniƫlle FrƤnkel from animal control Gelderse Vallei, as well as the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre claim that it is a greyhound-like dog.

Either way, itā€™s a mummified canineā€¦ not in Egypt, but in the Netherlands!?

Butā€¦how?

Letā€™s just clarify that nee, the Dutch donā€™t have a habit of mummifying their pets once they head off to the alpaca farm. In this case, we donā€™t have broken-hearted owners to thank for this bizarre find ā€” just good old Dutch nature.

Mummification happens when flesh dries out, so you would think that in a climate as moist as that of the Netherlands, mummification would not naturally occur. šŸŒ§ļø

Well, as it turns out, it happens a lot. šŸ¤Ø 

READ MORE | Mummiesā€¦ in the Netherlands? Frieslandā€™s bizarre find

Van Zoelen, says that he regularly has clients come in with mummified cats that they found in their attic, for instance. 

The taxidermist also explains that drafty rooms and strong winds (which the Netherlands is no stranger to) can contribute to mummification, as they prevent flies from landing on the body and eating away at it. 

Translation: Animal mummy under carport in Ede, but how is that possible?

Who let the dogs out?

After the mummified animal was found, animal control Gelderse Vallei tried to locate a chip to identify the potential dogā€™s owner ā€” but no luck. 

In an effort to find out more about the animal, responsible authorities also researched years back into the archives of Amivedi, an organisation that is committed to missing and found pets in the Netherlands ā€” but again, no luck. 

So, for now, the owner remains unknown. If that stays the case, the animal is set to be cremated, and its ashes spread ā€œat a nice spot in the forest.ā€ šŸŒ³

A happy endingā€¦ we think?

How long has it been there?

Due to the absence of a chip, itā€™s unclear how long the animal has been there. But once a body is dry, mummification can happen fairly fast, says Van Zoelen ā€” ā€œonce the moisture is out of the carcass, the skin becomes a kind of leather and no longer rots away.ā€

So while it may be that the ā€˜mummyā€™ has not been there for that long, the opposite could also be the case. ā€œAs long as it is drafty and not damp, that animal could have been there for a hundred years,ā€ Van Zoelen speculates. šŸ˜³

What do you think about this unexpected find in Ede? Let us know in the comments!

1...341342343...740Page 342 of 740