On Friday, May 4, NS trains will be immobilised for two minutes at 8pm during the National Commemoration service for WWII.

Remembering those who lost their lives

In addition to the immobilisation of trains at 8pm, over 400 stations and station shops will observe two minutes of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Second World War and the war situations and peace missions that took place afterwards. Commemoration services will also take place at various stations in cities such as Alkmaar, Haarlem, Amsterdam, The Hague, Nijmegen, Arnhem and Utrecht.

The ceremony at Utrecht Central station will be lead by the NS wind orchestra from 19.30pm onwards. A memorial ceremony will also be given on Friday at 12.50pm at the Monument for Fallen Railway Staff in Utrecht. This ceremony commemorates the 477 railway staff who lost their lives whilst working during WWII.

Buses and trains in the Netherlands

It is not only NS trains that will be applying the brakes on Friday at 8pm, buses and trains from other transport companies such as Arriva and Keolis will also be halting to observe the two minutes of remembrance.