Delays for ICNG, NS postpones 2023 timetable update one year

[DanielB]

As a result of the impact of restrictions due to COVID-19, building, testing and approving the ICNG trainsets for NS by Alstom is suffering from delays. Travel restrictions, quarantine and supply chain problems are delaying production and additional a derailment in Germany has interrupted the testing program in Germany.
Due to these delays, NS will not have enough ICNG available at the end of 2022 to enable the introduction of significant updates in the 2023 timetable. As planned, ICNG will still take over the high speed services between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Breda and between The Hague, Rotterdam and Eindhoven during 2022. The planned new services from Rotterdam via the high speed line to Schiphol and Amsterdam Zuid (onwards to Leeuwarden/Groningen via Almere and to Enschede via Amersfoort) will however be postponed to the 2024 timetable.

More (in Dutch) at the NS-website: NS verlengt dienstregeling 2022 met een jaar, wijzigingen 2023 uitgesteld

 

[MarcVD]

2025 is a hard-set date as it is the end of certification for ICR coaches. So if new trains are not available at that time, that will be a serious problem for the Brussels- Amsterdam route...

 

[DanielB]

The ICNG trainsets for Amsterdam - Brussels aren't part of the first order which is now suffering from delays. The now delayed order is fully meant to first replace Traxx + ICR sets on the domestic high speed services (Amsterdam - Rotterdam, Amsterdam - Breda and The Hague - Eindhoven) and second to increase capacity on the high speed line combined with partial replacement of ICM (by combining the routes from Schiphol to Leeuwarden, Groningen and Enschede with additional services on the high speed line between Schiphol and Rotterdam)

For the services to Brussels a fleet of eighteen 8-car trainsets (ICNG Belgium) have been ordered later. These are due to enter service in 2025. However as far as I know the first order mentioned above does already include at least one multi-voltage trainset which can be used in Belgium, specifically meant to allow for test runs and approvals prior to delivery of ICNG Belgium.

 

[MisterT]

The official introduction date for the ICNG to Belgium hasn't changed so far. The first Belgium-capable train is already being tested in Velim.