Thalys to scale up train services from mid-May

The Amsterdam - Paris train route has been running on only one service a day as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, however, the rail company has announced that it will be scaling up services from mid-May for at least two weeks. 

Three trains a day between Amsterdam and Paris

For the past year, Thalys has been running on a significantly reduced schedule, running at only 15 percent capacity. But this is set to change very soon - for at least two weeks from May 17, the railway company will scale up services to be running at 30 percent capacity.

This change means trains will run three times a day between Amsterdam and Paris, and two times a day between Paris and Brussels. All travellers will be required to provide proof of a recent negative coronavirus test before departure. 

The company has decided the change will only be temporary for the time being due to concerns about planning too far into the future and the potential spread of coronavirus as international travel gradually resumes. 

Europe slowly reopens borders for international travel

The news comes as countries across Europe announce plans to reopen borders to travellers with a so-called coronavirus passport., and as the Dutch government relaxes its travel advice. Both France and Spain have said holidaymakers will be welcome from June. 

Thalys’ decision to run additional services also comes at a time when many across the Netherlands harbour concerns about the number of travellers on Dutch public transport, with trains already transporting too many passengers for the recommended 1,5-metre distance to be observed. Last month, Dutch railway company NS announced it would gradually scale up services from May 3 in an attempt to disperse crowds.