Additional journeys on the Groningen-Zwolle and Leeuwarden-Zwolle routes from 2025 are getting closer. Arriva has submitted an application for this to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). With this, the transport company appealed to European legislation that allows connections on the basis of open access on the railways.
The Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management then requested an economic balance test or a possible suspension of the plans. ACM rejected both options. This means that Arriva trains with more offer and extra stops are one step closer.
Road clear
Anne Hettinga, CEO Arriva Netherlands: „ Arriva welcomes ACM’s decision to reject the Ministry of I&W’s request to conduct and suspend an economic equilibrium test. This clears the way for Arriva to operate both connections from 2025. With this, Arriva is taking a step in strengthening the Dutch public transport network, specifically in the north. The political wish to quickly stop trains at Thialf will also be realized from 2025. From now on, two trains will stop every hour. We encourage more and more travelers to opt for this sustainable way of travel.”
Unlocked
With the services on these two routes, the north will be better accessible by train. Arriva’s plans include extra express trains between Groningen and Zwolle and extra rush-hour trains between Leeuwarden and Heerenveen. The train connections offered are in addition to intercity lines that connect the north with the rest of the country. In addition, time savings are realized for the traveler on both routes.
New chances
Groningen-Zwolle:
The Arriva express trains stop not only in Assen, but also in Hoogeveen, which will thus have a long-cherished express train stop. There is also good news for Meppel: the new express train stops in Meppel in the morning in the direction of Groningen and in the afternoon from the direction of Zwolle. Meppel will thus have an extra fast connection to and from Groningen. Slow trains will also stop in Staphorst from now on, if it’s up to Arriva.
Leeuwarden-Zwolle:
Arriva wants to run two slow trains per hour between Leeuwarden and Zwolle, which stop at all stations in between. This includes Heerenveen Ice Stadium (Thialf) station and the newly opened Leeuwarden Werpsterhoeke. Between Heerenveen and Leeuwarden, Arriva wants to run four extra rush-hour trains in the morning and four extra rush-hour trains in the afternoon, which stop at all intermediate stations and provide a connection to the express train to Groningen. An extra station at Thialf is also part of the election campaign of parties in the north. From 2025, the Arriva train will stop at the Ice Stadium twice an hour.
Arriva previously submitted applications like this. Among other things, the new night train Groningen-Schiphol is a result of this.