Ns Orders 36 New Sprinters That Can Operate as Intercity Trains

Dutch train operator NS has announced the purchase of 36 new Sprinter trains with a unique dual-purpose design: they can serve both as Sprinters that stop at every station and as Intercity trains that travel faster between major cities. The flexible deployment capability is designed to help NS respond more efficiently to growing passenger numbers and varying demand across the network.

The new trains, called Flirt Flex, will be manufactured by Swiss company Stadler, which has previously supplied Sprinter trains to NS. The investment totals over €400 million, with the 36 trains providing more than 8,000 total seats. The first Flirt Flex trains are expected to enter service on the Dutch rail network at the end of 2029 or early 2030.

The Flirt Flex is fundamentally designed as a Sprinter with capabilities that also make it suitable for Intercity service:

This dual-purpose design means NS can deploy the same train as either a Sprinter or an Intercity depending on where passenger demand is highest. Rather than having trains dedicated to only one type of service, NS gains the flexibility to shift rolling stock between regional stopping services and faster long-distance routes as needed.

"This flexible use helps us respond better to the growing number of passengers," NS explained, noting that the approach increases operational efficiency and allows better use of the train fleet.

The new trains will include contemporary amenities designed for passenger comfort and accessibility:

The improved accessibility features align with broader efforts to make Dutch public transport more inclusive for passengers with mobility challenges.

Unlike the current white-and-blue Sprinter design, the Flirt Flex will feature NS's classic yellow-and-blue colour scheme that many people associate with traditional Dutch trains.

"From 2030 we welcome a modern train in a classic 'jacket'," NS CEO Wouter Koolmees said. "Yellow–blue trains have been part of the Netherlands for decades and we'd like to keep it that way." The color choice connects NS's modernisation efforts with its historical brand identity.

This order is one component of a comprehensive upgrade to the NS train fleet, which includes:

In total, NS is investing approximately €2 billion in new trains over the coming years to make the Dutch rail network more reliable, comfortable, and sustainable. The comprehensive renewal addresses aging rolling stock and prepares the network for anticipated growth in passenger numbers.

Traditionally, Sprinter and Intercity services use different types of trains optimized for their specific roles. Sprinters prioritise quick acceleration for frequent stops on regional routes, while Intercity trains emphasise sustained higher speeds for long-distance travel with fewer stops.

The new flexible trains allow NS to break away from this rigid separation. During peak hours or special events, NS can deploy more trains as Intercity services on busy long-distance routes. During off-peak periods or on routes with changing demand patterns, the same trains can operate as Sprinters with more frequent stops.

This adaptability helps future-proof the Dutch rail network against changing travel patterns and makes more efficient use of expensive rolling stock that would otherwise sit idle or be underutilised on certain routes.

NS plans to finalise the contract with Stadler soon, with production beginning thereafter. The first trains are scheduled to enter passenger service at the end of 2029 or in early 2030. The rollout will continue over subsequent years as additional units are delivered and tested.

For travellers on the Dutch rail network, the new Flirt Flex trains should deliver several improvements:

While passengers will need to wait until 2030 to experience the new trains, the investment represents a significant step toward modernising Dutch rail travel and meeting the needs of a growing passenger base in the coming decades.