Problems with the signals led to a sharp reduction in trains between Rotterdam and The Hague on Friday morning and passengers are being warned they face delays of up to one hour.

Full services are not expected to resume until after midday. Passengers are being advised to take the tram to travel between The Hague and Delft.

There are also problems with intercity trains between Rotterdam and Amsterdam because of the signal failures.

Earlier, train services to Schiphol airport were disrupted after a fire alarm at the airport’s station. There were no trains at all from 7.30 to 08.45, forcing travellers to join long queues for taxis. Dutch Rail said services will not be back to normal until at least 11.00 hours.

Services to Schiphol are more often disrupted because of smoke alarms due to the extra stringent safety precautions, a railway spokesman told news agency ANP.

On Thursday, it emerged the government has fined the NS €2.75m for poor performance. The railway company is 100% state owned.