Railway company GoVolta granted temporary access to rail network
The ACM has authorized GoVolta to access the Dutch rail network for international and domestic passenger services after concluding that it would not disrupt the current main rail concession. However, the company must still obtain necessary track capacity from ProRail, which prioritizes existing concession trains.
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has granted the railway company GoVolta temporary access to the national rail network after determining that its operations would not jeopardize the economic balance of the main rail concession held by NS. GoVolta plans to operate international services connecting cities such as The Hague and Amsterdam to destinations like Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Paris. Additionally, the company has expressed intentions to offer domestic passenger services on a route between Amsterdam and Berlin with multiple stops along the way.
Despite this regulatory approval, GoVolta cannot immediately begin operations. The company must first secure rail capacity through ProRail, which manages the infrastructure. Since trains operating under established concessions receive priority, GoVolta may face scheduling challenges if capacity remains limited. The granting of access rights marks a significant step toward potential competition on these lines, though actual service commencement remains subject to these further logistical requirements and capacity availability within the existing railway system.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
