This week, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) announced more changes to its existing timetable as a result of ongoing staff shortages, scrapping trains between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as a number of other stations.
At the beginning of June, NS announced it was temporarily scrapping some services between Arnhem, Schiphol Airport, and Rotterdam as a result of a shortage of chief conductors. Then, at the end of last week, the company made last-minute changes to Friday and weekend services due to ongoing staff shortages.
This week, the chaos continues, with NS scrapping a number of services between various Dutch cities and towns as the company continues to face a severe shortage of staff across several key positions.
As of June 27, NS is running fewer Intercity trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal, and Amsterdam and Enkhuizen. There will also be fewer Sprinters running between stations in Rotterdam and Gouda, and Dordrecht and Gorinchem.
In spite of attempts to step up recruitment efforts and attract new workers with a more attractive employment contract, NS currently has around 1.100 jobs available across the Netherlands. While these recent changes are only set to remain in place for this week, more adjustments to the timetable are expected to come into effect from July 4.
“Like many other companies and sectors, NS is experiencing the consequences of the tight labour market,” the company writes on its website. “That is why it is determined in advance whether it is necessary to run fewer trains on a number of routes.”
Want to know how the changes might affect your journey? Make sure to check the NS Reisplanner for up-to-date travel information.