# Netherlands and Germany pledge closer rail cooperation and faster links to Berlin

> The two governments signed a joint rail statement in Berlin on Tuesday, aiming for shorter journeys and easier entry for new operators on routes from Amsterdam to Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

Politics · published 2026-11-13 05:53 · https://nlnow.nl/a/netherlands-and-germany-agree-on-more-faster-trains-to-berlin/

State Secretary Annet Bertram (Infrastructure, CDA) and German transport minister Steffen Bilger agreed in Berlin on Tuesday to work more closely on rail. In a joint statement they singled out the routes from Amsterdam to Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt as priorities.

Both countries want to make it easier for new rail operators to offer international services, in order to increase competition. Roughly twice as many fast trains run to Paris as to Berlin. One newer operator, GoVolta, runs to Berlin via Deventer and Hengelo, but had trains cancelled for days because of defective rolling stock.

Bertram said the problem is speed, not demand: "Interest isn't the problem, speed is." She added that frequency cannot simply be increased.

## Freight and military transport

Freight is another key priority. About 45,000 freight trains a year cross the border at Zevenaar, Venlo and Bad Bentheim. The German-side connection of the Betuweroute freight line is still not finished, and no firm end date is in sight. Bertram wants it fully connected to the German network as soon as possible.

The countries also want tracks suitable for extra-long trains of 740 metres. That matters for freight and for military transport, such as moving tanks.

The ministers will meet at least once a year, possibly with rail-sector experts.

## Background

- **CDA (Christen-Democratisch Appèl)**: The Christian Democratic party, on the centre-right. It has taken part in many Dutch coalition governments and is one of the three parties in the current cabinet, with D66 and the VVD.
- **Betuweroute**: The Betuweroute is a dedicated freight railway line in the Netherlands, running from the Port of Rotterdam area to the German border near Zevenaar. It carries goods trains only, so cargo moves separately from passenger services on the Dutch network. It matters because it is the main rail link for container and bulk freight leaving the Rotterdam port towards Germany and further into Europe.

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