THE troubled procurement of regional train and bus services in the Dutch province of Limburg overcame its final legal obstacle on April 14 when incumbent operator Veolia Transport Nederland dropped its appeal against the decision to award the concession to Arriva.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) has directly awarded Siemens and Bombardier a contract to upgrade its fleet of 131 Sprinter Light Train (SLT) EMUs, which were originally supplied by the two manufacturers in 2007-2012, to comply with the Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons With Reduced Mobility (PRM-TSI).

THE first Stadler Flirt 3 EMUs for Netherlands Railways (NS) arrived in the Netherlands on March 29, when three sets were moved by rail from the Dutch-German border station at Herzogenrath to Maastricht.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) has unveiled a new company strategy for 2016-2019, entitled 'Better at full speed,' which aims to regain public trust and secure NS's position in the Dutch railway market up to and beyond 2025.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) turnover for 2015 increased by 20% to €4973m – but profits fell by €62m to €118m.

NETHERLANDS RAILWAYS (NS) is to operate peak-hour bus services from today in an effort to relieve overcrowding on its busiest rail services.

A new water-based system developed in the Netherlands has undergone tests to prove its effectiveness at overcoming poor railhead conditions caused by leaf fall. Margreet Beuving, consultant at Dekra Rail, which carried out the tests, profiles the Water Spray Installation.

DUTCH secretary of state for infrastructure and the environment Mrs Sharon Dijksma joined Netherlands Railways (NS) CEO Mr Roger van Boxtel, ProRail CEO Mr Pier Eringa, and the mayor of The Hague Mr Jozias van Aartsen at The Hague Central on February 1 to mark the completion of the station's reconstruction.

NETHERLANDS Railways (NS) confirmed on January 19 that four suppliers have been shortlisted for the final stage of the tender for a contract to supply a new fleet of 200km/h EMUs under its Next Generation Intercity (ICNG) programme.

DUTCH secretary of state for infrastructure Mrs Wilma Mansveld resigned on October 28 following the publication of a report into the Fyra high-speed fiasco, which places the blame for the debacle squarely with various current and former government ministers as well as Netherlands Railways (NS) and Belgian National Railways (SNCB).