The Intercity Direct train service uses the HSL-Zuid which went into service 7 September 2009.[1] An hourly domestic service branded Fyra by operator NS Hispeed was started on 7 September 2009 between Amsterdam and Rotterdam using TRAXX-locomotives and ICR-carriages. Initially the service was hourly and weekdays only. On 12 April 2010 service expanded to Saturdays and Sundays. As of 4 October 2010, frequency increased to twice hourly. Service was extended to Breda on 3 April 2011.[2]
An international service also known as Fyra between Amsterdam and Brussels started 9 December 2012 using V250 rolling stock of AnsaldoBreda. From 17 January 2013 this service had to be pulled due to undercarriage damage caused by high velocity with ice and snow. As of June 2013 international Fyra service has been permanently suspended by both Dutch and Belgian railways.[3]
Due to the perceived bad reputation of the Fyra brand, the domestic service rebranded into Intercity Direct as of December 2013.[4]
As of April 2023, ICNG (Intercity New Generation) units have started replacing the locomotive-hauled services.[5] The ICNG trains are capable of operating at speeds up to 200 km/h.[6][7]
Services
OV-Chipcard card reader for paying the Intercity Direct supplement
A supplemental fare is required for any trip on the Intercity Direct that includes the Schiphol Airport–Rotterdam stretch. Single-use supplements cost €2.90 during peak hours and €1.74 during off-peak hours (2023) regardless of the class.[8]
This supplement can be paid by touching an OV-Chipcard or Contactless payment to a "supplement pillar," which can be found on platforms from which Intercity Direct trains depart. These pillars are similar to OV-Chipcard validation machines, but contain a red "Toeslag" label. A bi-lingual sign indicates for which train the supplement is required. If the supplement was mistakenly paid, touching an OV-Chipcard to the same device within 30 seconds will cancel the purchase.[8]
Journeys between Schiphol Airport railway station and Amsterdam Centraal, or between Rotterdam Centraal and Breda, can be made without paying the supplement.[9] International tickets for the trains which continue to Belgium include the supplement in their cost.[8]
