New 2028 Intercity line to boost Netherlands-Germany rail travel

Rail connections between the Netherlands and Germany’s Ruhr region are poised for a major upgrade. A new Intercity line is planned to launch in 2028, offering faster and more frequent services between key cities. The move comes as demand for cross-border train travel continues to rise. The new IC trains will run every two hours between Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, and one of Düsseldorf, Cologne, or Dortmund. Capable of reaching 200 km/h, they will complement the existing ICE service. Together, the two lines will create an hourly high-speed link between Amsterdam, the Ruhr region, and Cologne.

Initially, the route will operate three daily round trips, with plans to double this to six. Talks with Dutch Railways (NS) are ongoing to explore further expansions. However, it is still uncertain whether the service will stop in Emmerich and Wesel.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) and NS are reserving train slots for the new IC services. This step makes it harder for private operators to introduce competing fast services on the same corridor. The push for better cross-border rail comes as competition in long-distance travel grows, with passenger numbers for European train journeys rising by nearly a third since 2019. The new line is set to begin operations in 2028. It will provide more frequent and faster connections between major Dutch and German cities. The expansion aims to meet increasing demand while strengthening rail as a key travel option in the region.