ProRail: Two-Year Timeline to Fix Railway

Railway operator ProRail has warned passengers to expect continued disruptions for at least two more years, following a record number of major incidents in 2025.

So far this year, the number of “high-impact” incidents has surpassed 520—marking the first time ProRail has exceeded this legally mandated limit, with six weeks still left in the year.

In an interview with AD.nl, CEO John Voppen explained that it would likely take until 2027 to bring the incident total back below the 520 threshold. The causes, he said, include ongoing IT system failures, shortages of trained staff, and the growing impact of climate change.

Among the examples ProRail provided was the computer system failure on March 31 in the Rotterdam area, which delayed trains between Leiden and Breda for several hours.

Animals on the tracks have also contributed to delays, including badgers, swans, wolves, and two kangaroos. Additionally, nearly 5,500 pedestrians have been recorded on the tracks, and about 200 people have tragically taken their own lives on the railway network.

A further challenge ProRail faces is its dependence on outdated technical systems. “We currently have long-term contracts with maintenance companies that perform well, but we are lacking in flexibility,” said CEO John Voppen.

ProRail is actively training around 120 installation technicians to fill a staffing gap that has caused delays in large-scale projects, such as the modernization of Groningen station.

CEO John Voppen indicated that the company is likely to exceed the threshold of incidents again next year. However, he mentioned that ProRail is investing in advanced digital infrastructure to track defects, speed up repairs, and safeguard the network from IT disruptions and cyber threats.

“Funding is critical to maintaining the railways, but it doesn’t solve everything,” Voppen said. “It’s equally important that we train technical personnel, and we need more flexibility with the rules.”