Dutch rail boss urges end to split services

Dutch Rail head Bert Meert has called for an end to the split between the two companies overseeing train services to end the ongoing problems.

In a letter addressed to all political parites, Mr Meerstadt calls for a formal investigation into the problems besetting the Dutch rail network. In 1995, the train services offered by a single state-run company were split between two semi-private companies. Since then, NS is responsible for the trains and the passengers, while ProRail operates the rail network.

That split, Mr Meerstadt notes, is causing problems to this day. In the past, he points out, a frozen switch was fixed straightaway by the engine driver. Now, however, NS staff are no longer allowed to interfere with the infrastructure, for which there is a special protocol. In practice, this means it can take hours before a ProRail team arrives on site to deal with the problem.

Last month, in the wake of the ongoing problems with the country’s rail services, a majority in parliament called for ProRail to be reinstated as a state-run company.

(cl)

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