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Despite the fact that the trains are not yet full and are still running less due to staff shortages, the Dutch Railways announced today that the European tender for new Sprinters has started. This innovation is necessary to respond to the expected passenger growth towards 2030. Fortunately, many more travelers are now back on the train, they are now at about 80 percent of the number of travelers before the corona crisis. Because it can take years before a new train runs, they are already starting the tender process. They are now starting the first phase of the tender, which is called Request For Information (RFI). This means selecting possible suppliers and concluding a contract. Dutch Railways plans to put the new Sprinters into service in 2027.

“We are now at about 80 percent of the number of travelers before the corona pandemic. Nevertheless, we are already looking at the long term: we expect significant passenger growth towards 2030. Since it takes years for a new train to run, we must now prepare for the future and start the tender.”

They are also going to see whether the new Sprinters can serve as Intercity. It concerns a basic order of between 8.000 and 18.000 seats. The new Sprinter can accelerate and brake quickly and is suitable for speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. The train will also be more accessible with a level sliding step and the toilets will also be wheelchair accessible. The interior is light and will be equipped with screens with travel information, sockets and connections for USB. The trains will also have comfortable seats and Wi-Fi. The Dutch Railways has already ordered 99 new Intercity trains of the Intercity New Generation (ICNG) type, from the French train manufacturer Alstom. There are now about 185 new Sprinters on the Dutch Railways. These are the so-called Sprinter New Generation (SNG) and come from the Spanish train manufacturer CAF. The NS is continuously improving and innovating, this applies not only to the trains but also to the stations.

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