Dutch Railways looks back with a good feeling on the course of the Four Days Marches in Nijmegen. In 2020 and 2021, the Four Days Marches was canceled due to the outbreak of the corona virus. This year, after consultation, the four-day event was one day shorter due to the tropical temperatures on Tuesday, this time the start was on Wednesday. Extra early and extra long trains ran according to a modified timetable to bring walkers to the start. Extra employees were ready at Nijmegen station to welcome everyone and give travel advice. Two special NS Hop-on Hop-off trains also ran from Nijmegen station to the center.
”The Four Days Marches is also a unique event for us with a huge number of travelers. We are making the most of this with extra and longer trains. Through the gates we were able to guide all travelers in and out of the station in phases. As a result, you ensure a good flow and everyone is in and out of the train faster. Although it took some getting used to for everyone, the majority of travelers responded well to it. Everyone has come home.”
For the revelers, trains ran according to a special night network so that they too could return home safely. This edition, no fewer than 400.000 visitors took the train to Nijmegen. Most visitors, about 90.000, came to Nijmegen on Friday for the entry. To get all these 400.000 visitors off the train as safely and quickly as possible, NS installed gates in front of the station. This allowed everyone to enter and exit the station in phases. There was plenty to do at the station square and also shared NS on Fridays gladiolus to travelers, it was a lot of fun.
Photo above: NS image bank.
“It is unbelievable how hard my colleagues have worked. From conductor, driver, Safety & Service employee, announcer, service employee to colleagues in the shops. It was a long day for everyone, but the atmosphere at the station was generally very good. We hope to see all walkers and revelers again next year.”
