NS Applies for New License for International Train Connections: Deadline Looms

After FlixTrain, Arriva and Qbuzz, NS has also reported to regulator ACM for a new license for international train connections. Tomorrow is the deadline for applying for international train permits and NS is afraid of missing out if the market is opened up for this. NS has submitted an application for the lines where the public company already runs, namely to London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt and Vienna and Innsbruck.

In February, State Secretary Heijnen of Transport announced that parties may report to ACM until tomorrow if they want to take a shot at international train connections. She will then see whether the concession for the international connections will be given to a single party in a package – the wish of NS and the House of Representatives – or whether the market will be opened up – the wish of the commercial competitors Arriva, FlixTrain, Qbuzz.

A factor in this is that European rules that will soon come into effect prescribe that it must first be investigated how much interest there is in a rail permit before it can be awarded privately. NS is in a dilemma.

On the one hand, the company believes that international connections should largely be arranged in one permit. NS is not keen on a fully liberalized international rail market. On the other hand, the rail company fears that it will make a mistake if it does not register now and the State Secretary nevertheless decides to open up the market.

Last Monday, Qbuzz announced that it has raised its hand for a connection to Paris and Berlin. Arriva has already done this with a connection to Paris. FlixTrain hopes for a connection to Oberhausen.