The Dutch railway operator NS is set to enhance train services throughout the Netherlands in 2027, with significant improvements slated for December 13, 2026. This move includes reinstating the direct Groningen-Rotterdam route, thereby allowing passengers to travel between these cities without the need to switch trains. The restored Intercity service will pass through key locations such as Assen, Zwolle, Lelystad, Almere, Amsterdam Zuid, and Schiphol before reaching its final destination in Rotterdam.
In addition to the Groningen-Rotterdam connection, NS plans to increase the frequency of trains and expand weekend services. Notably, there will be more direct weekday peak-hour services between Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo, and Amsterdam. Train services between Enschede and Amersfoort are expected to be enhanced to three trains per hour, while additional direct Intercity services will be available between Almelo, Deventer, and Amsterdam during weekends.
Several Sprinter routes will also see improvements. The service between Houten Castellum and Utrecht Centraal will be upgraded to operate six trains per hour during peak periods from Monday to Thursday. Additionally, the frequency of trains between Veenendaal Centrum and Utrecht Centraal will double to four per hour.
The frequent Intercity service linking Amsterdam, Utrecht, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and Eindhoven will now extend its operations to Fridays, enhancing the ease of travel on this popular route. Weekend travelers will also benefit from more frequent connections, with Intercity trains running every 15 minutes between Utrecht and The Hague during selected evening and morning periods. Furthermore, Sunday Sprinter services between Dordrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague will increase to four trains per hour.