Arriva Netherlands has applied for rights to operate its first ‘Open Access’ international trains linking Groningen to Paris and challenging the current NS monopoly of route, RTV Noord reports.
The Deutsche Bahn subsidiary lodged an application with the Authority for Consumers and Markets on June 8, explaining that it was looking to run its trains at times when NS does not currently provide services. Arriva plans connect Groningen with Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and Paris from June 2026. Southbound trains would leave Groningen at 05:30 and arrive in Paris at 10:40. The return journey would depart Paris at 19:15, arriving at Groningen around 00:30. There will also be an Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris service in the middle of the day.
If approved, the plan will see rail connections between the northern Netherlands and major European capital cities, as well as a stop at Schiphol Airport which could encourage plane to train connections.
Arriva said it views Groningen as an important transport hub, emphasizing that the proposed trains could compete with air travel between major European cities. “We want more international train connections. After all, they have an important role to play in supporting the sustainability agenda. When we say international, people often think of the Randstad. But why not Groningen?” the rail operator’s spokesperson Nikkie Smit told Radio Noord yesterday.
Arriva said it made its application ahead of the government’s June 10 deadline to apply to operate international open access services in the Netherlands. The company added it would carry all costs and risks associated with the services, without any government concession or subsidy. It expects to submit future applications for services from other Dutch provinces to Belgium and France.
At the moment, traveling by rail from Groningen to Paris takes over six hours with a connection at Leeuwarden, Zwolle and Schiphol – currently, there is no direct train between the northern Netherlands and the French capital. The tickets vary between different days but usually range between €126 and €158. Smit could not say what prices their tickets might command. “I hope we’re going to undercut the rivals. You can expect our pricing to be competitive,” she said.
Earlier this year, Arriva started to run scheduled night train services between Groningen and the Randstad region. The new service plugs a major gap in the country’s growing night train network, with the Arriva-operated train stopping at Assen, Zwolle, Lelystad, Almere and Amsterdam South on the way between Groningen and the Schiphol airport.
