The new Netherlands high-speed rail link (HSL), which will slash journey times between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by 20 minutes to 43 minutes, is scheduled to commence service on 7 September, the Dutch ministry of transport has announced.
The high-speed service is a collaboration between the ministry, and rail operators NS Hispeed and ProRail. Travelling at around 30 kilometres per hour faster than the current service, the high speed trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 kilometres an hour, reports Radio Netherlands/Expatica. It is now thought that a high-speed service between Amsterdam and Brussels will open in 2010, and by the end of 2010 will extend to also serve Cologne, Paris and London.
