Dutch railway operator NS is set to enhance its train services across the Netherlands with a new timetable taking effect on December 13, 2026. This update will see the restoration of the direct Intercity service between Groningen and Rotterdam, alongside various improvements in train frequency and connectivity.
The direct Groningen-Rotterdam route will be reinstated from December 21, allowing passengers to travel between these cities without the need for train changes. The route will include stops at key stations such as Assen, Zwolle, Lelystad, Almere, Amsterdam Zuid, and Schiphol, before reaching Rotterdam.
Additionally, NS plans to boost weekday peak-hour direct connections between Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo, and Amsterdam. The train service frequency between Enschede and Amersfoort will increase to three per hour, and additional Intercity services will be available between Almelo, Deventer, and Amsterdam over the weekends.
Several Sprinter routes will also see enhancements. During peak periods from Monday to Thursday, services between Houten Castellum and Utrecht Centraal will increase to six trains per hour. Similarly, the frequency of trains between Veenendaal Centrum and Utrecht Centraal will double to four per hour.
The frequent Intercity service linking Amsterdam, Utrecht, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and Eindhoven will now extend its operation to Fridays. For weekend travelers, Intercity trains between Utrecht and The Hague will run every 15 minutes during select evening and morning periods. Moreover, Sunday Sprinter services between Dordrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague will increase to four trains per hour.