Connection between NS and Pro Rail

Pro rail is an essential company for NS, because Pro Rail ensures that NS can ride their trains in the Netherlands. NS operates the railway network and Pro Rail is the company that maintains the railway network. Pro Rail also maintains railways in several other countries in Europe, like Belgium, Germany and France. Pro Rail’s head office is situated in Utrecht, same as the Dutch railway operator. 

First task for Pro Rail starts when there is a problem with the railway, like track points failure, signal interference or a accident. They have to solve the problem in a limited time. An other task for Pro rail is to maintain the railway in all the year round. In the autumn (September to November) the railway must be kept free of leaves. In the winter (December to February) the railway and track points kept ice free and in the summer protected from overheating.  There is often disagreement between NS and Pro Rail. When there is a problem, NS blames Pro Rail or Pro Rail blames NS (this doesn’t help much). This problem is caused because of the separation of the two companies in the nineties when NS and Pro Rail were privatized. So you see that dividing a company does not always improve performance.

So Pro Rail is an company that cares for infrastructure and NS for the passengers. The relationship between the two will hopefully improve in the future through better conditions and rules.