The Dutch rail network experienced more serious disruptions in the first six months of this year. These had “a lot of impact” on travelers, who were often on the road longer as a result. Yet ProRail says trains arrived on time more often.
There were 302 serious disruptions in the first half of 2025, reports rail manager ProRail. That is an increase compared to the first half of 2024. Then there were 289 impactful disruptions.
The main cause was people or animals on the tracks. In more than four out of ten cases, it involved trespassers, collisions or (attempts at) suicide. More than 38 percent was due to technical malfunctions with, for example, overhead lines and switches. The remaining disruptions were the result of, among other things, trees on the track or overrun of track work.
ProRail calls the number “too large” and states that the subject has “full attention” in the second half of this year. The rail company is trying to reduce the number of disruptions with extra measures. For example, the company performs more maintenance on track components that are susceptible to malfunctions. There is also more smart camera surveillance and ProRail is trying to better shield the track.
The rail manager already called the number of disruptions too large last year. But in the meantime, that number is even greater. The disruptions caused a lot of inconvenience for travelers, including major delays.
More trains on time
Yet trains arrived on time more often in the first half of this year, reports ProRail. It should be noted that cancellations due to serious disruptions are not included in the delay figures.
According to ProRail, 86.6 percent of trains on the main rail network were less than three minutes late. In 95.7 percent of cases, there was a delay of less than ten minutes. A comparison with last year is difficult to make, because the rail manager then reported on delays of less than five and fifteen minutes. These criteria have been tightened since this year.
The better performance on the main rail network is the result of resolved speed restrictions. ProRail also says it is working better with NS to make the timetable more reliable, especially around planned work. Reliability remains lagging on the regional lines.