Starting a new train service between Groningen and Paris is not yet a done deal. The Dutch Railways (NS) want the Consumer and Markets Authority (ACM) to investigate the economic consequences of the connection.
Arriva announced last summer that it was developing plans for a direct train service between Groningen and Paris. The ACM previously announced that it could not perform the economic test.
Arriva wants to offer a daily train service between Groningen and Gare de Nord station, near Paris, from summer 2026. Along the way, the train stops in Zwolle, Almere, Amsterdam South, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central, Antwerp Central and Brussels South. In addition to Arriva, the (unknown) company Heurotrain is also interested in the connection.
Arriva submitted an application to regulator ACM in June 2023 to be allowed to start the connection. The ACM then had to assess what the economic consequences of the new train service would be, and whether it would have a negative impact on the train services in the main rail concession.
At the time Arriva submitted the application, it was not yet known which carrier would be allowed to operate on the main rail network. It was also not yet clear which services would fall under the main rail concession. The ACM therefore ruled that the economic test could not be done.
It is now clear that the NS has been awarded the main rail concession until 2033. This means that the NS has a preferential position to offer train services on the main rail network. Other carriers, such as Arriva, may also offer train services, but only if there is enough space on the track and this does not hinder NS.
If it turns out that the ‘double connection’ causes economic damage to the NS, the Ministry will compensate the NS for this. However, an economic test must still be carried out. The ACM ruled last month that this test could not be done.