High-speed train Fyra still running late on Brussels service

Just half of the Fyra high-speed trains to Brussels and Breda are arriving on time, according to a users lobby group website which monitors the new service’s arrival times.


The high-speed service has been the only direct route from Amsterdam to Brussels for the past month, and complaints from passengers are mounting up, the Failra group says.
Of the 2,350 Fyra services in the first month, 130 trains never arrived – this means one in 20 of the Brussels trains did not make its destination. And barely 55% of the trains arrive on time, Failra claims.
Late
Service operator NS Hispeed disputes the charges. It says between 70% and 75% of the Fyra trains have arrived on time. ‘That means a delay of no more than six minutes,’ company chairman Jan-Willem Siebers told Radio 1. ‘85% of trains are no more than 15 minutes too late and 15% have longer delays.’
The company says it is not happy with the current situation but that reliability is improving. Software is to blame for some of the delays and that problem is being tackled, Siebers said.
Earlier this week, two other rail users groups – Rover and Maatschappij voor beter OV – called for action. Rover wants the traditional intercity service between Amsterdam and Brussels to be resumed. The MvbO says the contract should be removed from the NS.
Earlier stories
More problems for Fyra high-speed service
European MPs to get sharp discounts on Fyra high-speed service
The Hague makes urgent appeal to keep direct trains to Belgium
Train tickets to Belgium set to soar in price
Have you used the new Fyra service? Share your experiences using the comment box below.

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