ProRail

ProRail is the Dutch government-owned railway infrastructure manager responsible for maintenance, expansion and capacity allocation on the Netherlands’ national rail network. The organisation manages approximately 3,000 route kilometres of track (7,000 track kilometres including double track and sidings) with around 5,500 employees and an annual budget exceeding EUR 2 billion.

History

ProRail was created on 1 January 2003 through the merger of three organisations previously responsible for Dutch rail infrastructure, following 1990s government policy to separate infrastructure management from train operations. The organisation became part of NS Railinfratrust, with the Dutch state as sole shareholder through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

An early reform from 2007-2011 shifted all contracts to public tender. Throughout the 2010s, ProRail implemented capacity expansion programmes and modernised working practices, moving from corrective to preventive maintenance with real-time asset monitoring. In 2021, the organisation shifted toward longer-term contractor partnerships with area-based contracts lasting four to six years.

Operations

Capacity allocation and traffic control. ProRail allocates train paths according to EU regulations and publishes an annual Network Statement. The Netherlands hosts rail freight corridors including Rhine-Alpine and North Sea-Baltic, linking Rotterdam and Amsterdam ports with Germany and Eastern Europe.

Infrastructure maintenance and renewal. ProRail coordinates over 400 major projects annually, outsourcing execution to contractors including VolkerRail, Strukton and BAM Infra. The network is subdivided into 21 areas with performance-oriented maintenance contracts.

Network expansion and modernisation. Major programmes include implementing ERTMS to replace legacy ATB train protection by 2050, upgrading electrical infrastructure, and extending capacity for 740-metre freight trains. In 2022, Thales was selected to provide the Central Safety System for ERTMS deployment.

Market position and challenges

ProRail faces persistent capacity constraints with the network operating at near-maximum utilisation. Demand is projected to grow 30 percent, but scheduling 1,200 annual maintenance projects while minimising disruption has proven difficult, compounded by labour shortages.

The rail freight sector has criticised ProRail for excessive infrastructure charges. The Dutch government’s 2025 rail freight policy plan was criticised by RailGood and the Logistieke Alliantie as lacking vision. A labour dispute in late 2024 concluded with a 10.2 percent salary increase. ProRail operates under a multi-year contract with the Dutch state, receiving funding through track access charges and government grants.

Digital initiatives

ProRail has accelerated digitalisation since the 2010s, implementing digital workflows, weather monitoring systems, and digital twins of key infrastructure. The ERTMS programme represents the largest digital initiative, with nationwide rollout directed by 2050 and core sections by 2030. Tranche 1 focuses on northern lines and the Kijfhoek-Belgian border route. ProRail formed an innovation partnership with twelve companies in 2021, including development of a trackbot to automate installation.

Policy relevance

As infrastructure manager on two major TEN-T corridors, ProRail is an active member of European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), a founding member of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, and participates in PRIME and RailNetEurope. The Betuweroute freight line from Rotterdam to Germany, opened in 2007, handles approximately 70 percent of Netherlands-Germany rail freight and carries over 20,000 freight trains annually.

ProRail is involved in discussions around the Capacity Management Regulation and has advocated for balanced freight and passenger traffic. The ERTMS transition positions the Netherlands as a test case for large-scale Baseline 3 Release 2 implementation.