Liberals want high-speed train probe

Wednesday 04 February 2009

There should be an investigation into the financial situation facing HSA, the company which is supposed to operate high speed trains between Amsterdam and Paris, Liberal (VVD) MPs have told news site nu.nl.

VVD MP Charlie Aptroot says it is absurd that the transport ministry has given the company – a joint venture between KLM and Dutch Railways (NS) – financial support to prevent it going bankrupt, says nu.nl.

HSA has to pay €148m a year in rights to the state from July 1, but transport minister Camiel Eurlings has given the company a four-year respite. The VVD is angry that part of the reason for the delay in operating high-speed services is HSA's failure to have the trains delivered on time.

'It is like the credit crisis. Shareholders' problems are becoming taxpayers' problems,' Aptroot was quoted as saying. 'We cannot keep HSA alive if it has miscalculated.'

MPs are due to debate the latest developments around the high-speed railway later on Wednesday.

© DutchNews.nl

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