DUTCH passenger operator Go-Volta has launched its first open-access services on two cross-border routes between Amsterdam and Germany.
Following an official inauguration at Amsterdam Central on March 19, the first service departed at 08.36 for Berlin Gesundbrunnen, arriving on time at 15.20 after calling at Amersfoort Central, Deventer, Hengelo, Bad Bentheim, Osnabrück and Hannover. The inaugural train was fully booked, carrying more than 600 passengers alongside invited guests and members of the press.
The train consisted of eight refurbished I10 coaches acquired second-hand from Belgian National Railways (SNCB). Two were classified as comfort class and six economy. A planned lounge coach was not included in the inaugural train as it had not been fitted out in time.
The following day, GoVolta introduced its Amsterdam Central - Hamburg Harburg service. The train departed Amsterdam at 08.05 and arrived at 13.55, with a return working leaving Hamburg at 14.43 and reaching Amsterdam at 20.26. There are intermediate stops at Bremen, Bad Bentheim, Hengelo, Deventer and Amersfoort Central. While the service is open to domestic passengers within Germany, it cannot be used for domestic journeys in the Netherlands due to regulatory restrictions protecting the Dutch Main Line Network (HLN) concession awarded to Netherlands Railways (NS).
Operations alternate daily between the Berlin and Hamburg routes, with each train returning to Amsterdam the same day. After arrival, rolling stock is serviced, cleaned and stabled overnight at Amsterdam Westhaven yard.
Operator
GoVolta has awarded Train Charter Services (TCS), a Dutch open-access operator with international certification, a contract to provide traction on both the Dutch and German networks. GoVolta reached the agreement with TCS after running into difficulties with its original partner, Keolis Netherlands, which was set to operate the train on the Dutch section of the route and partner with Eurobahn for the German portion.
On the Dutch section, trains are hauled by a rebuilt former NS class 1700 electric locomotive. A locomotive change takes place at Bad Bentheim on the border where a class 193 Siemens Vectron locomotive, leased from Railpool, takes over Plans to deploy a multi-system Vectron from Beacon Rail Leasing were not realised in time for launch.
An initial batch of 12 I10 coaches were delivered in January. The coaches are maintained by Brouwer Technology and feature GoVolta livery, although their interiors remain largely unchanged. Thanks to their RIC certification, they are authorised for operation across much of Europe’s standard-gauge network.
Tickets are sold via the GoVolta website and third-party platforms, including competitors such as NS International. Fares start at €10 for a single journey between Amsterdam and Berlin, with an average ticket price of around €35. Yield management is applied, with fares varying according to demand.
GoVolta plans to launch a third cross-border route between Amsterdam and Paris Nord in December. The service is expected to potentially operate via Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium and via Lille in France, due to capacity constraints on the principal route across Belgium via Brussels. The launch remains contingent on the acquisition and refurbishment of additional rolling stock.
