EU drops probe into how NS sells its used trains

The European Commission has closed its competition investigation into NS, the Dutch rail operator, after the company changed its policy on trainsets it no longer uses. The Commission says its concerns have been removed.

The Commission had opened the investigation over concerns about a possible restriction of competition. It suspected that the company deterred rival rail operators from taking over its used trainsets.

NS has since presented a new policy. It now sells discarded trainsets as second-hand rolling stock in an open tender that treats all potential buyers equally.

Buyers must meet conditions. After the sale, the rolling stock must be used for rail services. The buyer must have enough financial strength and must remove the purchased equipment in good time.

To put the policy into practice, NS is launching a website where all bidders get the same information, including on financing and other conditions. The company expects to offer the first trainsets for sale through it in September 2027.

The Commission stresses that new or smaller rail companies often find it hard to buy brand-new trains. Buying second-hand stock is therefore important to them, it says, but only if incumbents such as NS are willing to sell their discarded trainsets.