The wintry weather continued to cause problems on the railways on Saturday and transport minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen was urged by rail users organisations to fine Dutch Rail (NS) for failing to provide a proper service.

In particular there were problems in and around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.
NS said the difficulties were caused by ice on the points, frozen electrics and trains which had been stranded between stations. At one point more than 1,000 passenger were waiting for a train at Utrecht central station where intercity services had been cancelled.
Information
Rail users organization Rover called on the minister to get tough on the NS for failing to provide proper information to passengers.
‘Last time they blamed special snow flakes, now it is hardened ice,’ spokesman Chris Vonk is quoted as saying in the Telegraaf. ‘Yet in the rest of Europe trains continue to operate without any problems whatever the temperature.’
The continuing freeze and remains of Friday’s snow caused problems on the roads as well. Some 13 cars were involved in a pile-up on the A27 on Saturday afternoon, leading to long delays.
Salt
Because the roads are too cold for salt to have much affect, the transport ministry on Saturday also lowered speed limits on many roads.
Dozens of flights were cancelled at Schiphol airport and hundreds were affected by delays. In total, 1,000 passengers spent Friday night at the airport on camp beds.
Public transport services in the big cities were also affected by delays and cancellations.
Photo: WFA