Dutch railway operator NS is adjusting its nationwide timetables to handle tens of thousands of race fans traveling to the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort this August.
The transport changes coincide with additional large-scale events across the country, including the Lowlands festival in Biddinghuizen, as well as ongoing track maintenance managed by railway infrastructure agency ProRail.
NS expects to transport around 50,000 passengers daily to and from the coastal town during the event weekend running from August 21 to August 23.
Increased capacity and staffing
To accommodate the surge, the rail operator is deploying more than 300 additional staff members each day despite the summer holiday period.
Trains running toward Amsterdam will be lengthened, and local sprinter services operating between Amsterdam and Zandvoort will run at maximum capacity.
These specialized sprinter trains will carry two drivers and a conductor to help ensure swift departure times at busy stations.
Station updates and early travel incentives
Temporary platform extensions are being added at Zandvoort station, while extra stairways will help direct crowds at Haarlem station.
Additional check-in and check-out gates are also being installed to speed up passenger movement, and several level crossings between Halfweg and Zandvoort will be closed to road traffic during the event.
With a sprint race scheduled for midday on Saturday, NS advises fans attending the session to arrive at Amsterdam Centraal before 9:30 a.m.
To encourage visitors to head out earlier in the morning, passengers arriving in Zandvoort before 9:00 a.m. will receive a 50 percent discount on their journey.
