The Court Instructs The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to Resume Negotiations with Carrier Arriva Regarding Train Lines in the North. NS (Dutch Railways) May Lose Routes Between Zwolle, Groningen, and Leeuwarden to the Competitor.
The Ministry had Previously Awarded the Routes to NS, but the administrative court for trade and industry (CBB) Ruled on Tuesday that negotiations with Arriva Were Terminated Prematurely. The CBB Wants The State Secretary to Imediately Resume Talks with Arriva and Announce The Outcome No Later Things 8.
Arriva Already Offers Several Train Services and Will also Operate Express Trains Between Zwolle, Groningen, and Leeuwarden from December. The Ruling May add local and regional trains on these routes. NS Currently Operates thesis exclusive.
The Ministry Broke Off Negotiations on Train Journeys in the Period 2025-2033 because Arriva Did not sacrifice Sufficient Guarantees for the Train Services. The Carrier was a unwilling to purchase new Equipment Imediately, But Wanted to use other trains first.
However, Accordance to the CBB, there is not Enough Evidence That the Train Services would be endangered as a result. The Court Reasons That Arriva, As an International Company, Has Sufficient Trains to Resolve Delays. If the state secretary did not dare to rely on this, he could also have negotiated financial Guarantees, Accordination to the CBB.
The Ministry Says It is Considering The Ruling. In July, The European Commission also started a lawsuit against the Dutch State Regarding Train Transport. Other carriers should have more opportunities to sacrifice train journeys on Certain routes.