In the coming years, the State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management wants to tempt 2 million travelers to opt for the train on international trips to the countries around us. Fast trains should become an increasingly attractive alternative in destinations up to approximately 6 hours travel time.

All efforts and positive attention from the past two years have already led to an increase in the number of international travelers by rail. For example, NS International recently indicated that this summer (June - August 2019) they saw a growth of 13% of their travelers compared to the same period last year.

In order to further stimulate the increase in the number of international travelers by rail, the Secretary of State now wants to take a new step by means of a parallel approach to return the international night train to the Netherlands. In doing so, it facilitates both travelers and the market to further boost positive developments in the field of international trains and also gives substance to the Kröger motion.

cooperation with Austrian ÖBB

The State Secretary of Veldhoven has agreed with NS that, in collaboration with the Austrian ÖBB, it will return the international night train to the Netherlands as a test by timetable 2021 until the end of 2024 at the latest. It reserves a maximum of € 6,7 million to cover the operating deficit that occurs over the entire period.

Travelers to Germany and Austria can comfortably cover long distances with this train in the short term. In this way, the train can become an attractive and sustainable alternative even at distances above 800 kilometers by running at night.

market research indicates that night trains will be realistic in 2023

In order to be able to make a well-founded choice with regard to the international night train, the State Secretary has recently marketing research have it done. This study investigated the extent to which transporters can and want to reintroduce the night train in the Netherlands during the term of the above-mentioned trial period. This market investigation shows that a new offer of international night trains will arise in 2023 at the earliest, but that 2024 is a more likely time.

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