Responsibilities on the rail network
Many people assume that NS manages everything on and around the railway. However, since the mid-1990s, train operations and rail infrastructure management have been separate. NS operates passenger transport on the rail network, while ProRail manages the infrastructure. The government chose this structure to introduce market forces into the rail sector.
The Railway Act of 2003 sets out the responsibilities and powers of the government, infrastructure manager, transport operators and regulators. The aim is to ensure efficient and safe public rail transport while protecting the interests of passengers and the public.
NS: Operation and Management
NS is the largest passenger transport operator in the Netherlands. Every day, we assist over a million travellers with around 4,800 train services on a rail network of approximately 2,100 kilometres. For this, we deploy nearly 3,000 carriages offering a total of 260,000 seats. We also manage 380 stations, although these are not owned by us.
Our international operations through the subsidiary Abellio in the UK and Germany have ended. NS now focuses entirely on the Netherlands.
ProRail: Infrastructure and Capacity
ProRail is responsible on behalf of the government for the construction, maintenance and management of the Dutch rail network. This includes tunnels, level crossings, overhead lines, signals, switches and stations. ProRail also allocates capacity on the rail network and manages rail traffic control.
Other Passenger Transport Operators
Not all train services in the Netherlands are operated solely by NS. Regional authorities contract other operators for various rail lines. On fourteen lines, covering nearly 700 kilometres of track, operators such as Arriva, Keolis and Qbuzz provide services. These operators mainly serve regional and metropolitan routes that are outside the main rail network.
Freight Operators
The Dutch rail network is heavily used for freight transport, including the Betuweroute. Various international freight operators run trains here for container, bulk and industrial transport. The market is constantly evolving, with operators coming and going. The sector now consists of multiple European and private companies authorised to operate on the rail network.
Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management monitors rail safety through the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). This ensures the rail system remains safe for passengers, operators and staff.