Column: Follow the Germans to be an important rail theme in 2020
In 2020, ‘Follow the Germans’ will be an important theme for the Dutch rail sector. If the Netherlands works more with Germany by harmonising the specifications of ERTMS with Germany, to convert trains to ERTMS...Read moreRestrictions hazardous goods in Port of Rotterdam remain until January
To the annoyance of rail freight operators, freight trains with hazardous substances cannot be shunted on the intermodal yard of Rotterdam Waalhaven in the coming weeks. In September this year, these activities were forced to...Read more
‘Dutch should freeze rail charges until infrastructure is back to normal’
Dutch access charges should be frozen until the infrastructure is managed properly by ProRail. This was a suggestion of member of Parliament Roy van Aalst (PVV). In a recent debate, he criticised the government and...Read moreDutch rail freight operators consent with reduction of track access charges
RailGood, the branch organisation of the private rail freight carriers and operators in the Netherlands, has positively appreciated the government plans to reduce track access charges. The association considers that this measure will stimulate ‘a...Read more
Dutch rail freight sector: finally a level playing field
Truckers on the main highways of the Netherlands will be taxed per kilometre from 2023 onwards. This is good news for the rail freight industry. “It means the end of a market disruption that has...Read more
EU approves €70 million aid to lower Dutch track access charges
The European Commission has approved a support scheme amounting to 70 million Euros in order to significantly reduce the track access charges for rail freight in the Netherlands. The scheme, which will run from 2019...Read more
Incentive scheme in the Netherlands for use of less frequented sidings
In the Netherlands an incentive scheme is under discussion to discourage the use of busy sidings by making the less frequented sidings more attractive. Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail is negotiating such a measure with rail...Read moreNo extra support for ERTMS transition in the Netherlands
Rail freight carriers in the Netherlands will not be provided with an extra subsidy to convert trains to ERTMS. Dutch secretary of state Stientje van Veldhoven said that on Thursday, in response to questions from...Read more
‘The Netherlands must upgrade railways for 740-metre trains now’
The Netherlands should speed up efforts in preparing the railway network for 740-metre long trains. Germany is allocating the budget for the upgrades required, while in Switzerland the north-south route will be cleared for 750-meter...Read more
Dutch masterplan for rail freight should be kept on track
The measures proposed by the Dutch government to enhance rail freight volumes and create a level playing field with Germany have been discussed in Parliament yesterday. The sector handed in a petition two days earlier,...Read moreDutch track access charges to be lowered to ‘German level’
Dutch track access charges will be reduced significantly next year to be in line with the German tariffs, which will be reduced by half this year. This is part of a measure package proposed by...Read moreDutch Masterplan rail freight in the making
A Dutch masterplan with measures to enhance the position of the rail freight industry is in the making, following the example of Germany, which is to implement measures this year. The ministry of Infrastructure and Water...Read morePetition calls for Dutch action on rail freight policy
A group of more than 50 rail freight stakeholders has presented a petition to the Dutch Parliament, calling for action to help stimulate rail cargo transport and put it on a par with its German...Read more
‘The Netherlands should stop with the roll-out of ERTMS’
The Netherlands should put the roll-out of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on hold. In implementing the system, it should follow the example of Germany, says Dutch lobby organisation RailGood. A petition including this argument...Read more
Dutch rail freight industry pleas for lower track access charges
In line with plans of neighbouring Germany to halve track access charges as soon as next year, Dutch rail freight parties are asking their government to take similar measures, instead of pushing plans to increase...Read more