The new ScotRail franchise and a strong showing by its Abellio Greater Anglia operation has helped boost profits for Dutch state-owned rail operator, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), in what has been a “turbulent” start to 2015.
NS said its British franchises were largely responsible for a 16 per cent rise in turnover to €2.4 billion in the first half of 2015.
The first six months of the year saw chief executive Timo Hughes step down and an investigation launched into irregularities with the Limburg regional tender.
Roger van Boxtel, acting NS chief executive, said the operator had experienced a “turbulent” six months and had introduced measures to try and restore the company’s integrity.
Net profit was down from €133 million to €56 million due to the loss of non-recurring income – namely compensation from AnsaldoBreda for the failed V250 trains.
As well as international growth, domestic passenger numbers rose by 2 per cent in the first half of 2015.
Does the profit earned go back into Uk railways, or get sent to the netherlands to spend on their own railways??
A big portion of the profits will surely end up in the coffers of NS in Utrecht and, ultimately the Dutch taxpayer will benefit.
Plus Abellio Scotrail are ordering brand new Hitachi AT200 trains and getting cascaded Class 321’s from London Midland & Great Northern to be used on routes that is needed and to be formed as 3-car just like the Class 320’s.