Originally Posted by
Koby
Yes, you are right. Your suggestion was indeed to keep 3 options. But I'm not sure that there is a market for all 3. And if there is place for only 2 services (as also NS and NMBS seem to think - that's why they tried to replace the IC with Fyra), I'm glad the IC train with it's flexibility is still one of them.
I would definitely want to keep the old Benelux train in any future plan. If only to serve the likes of the Hague and Dordrecht (I would even argue they should stop in Leiden now as well). But also to preserve choice, and make sure any high-speed prices are kept in check.
Not sure how to solve the problem of combining Thalys with a high-speed Benelux/domestic Dutch service. Somehow sharing the service? (hourly departure from Amsterdam to Brussels 0500-2000 with 8 to 10 of those services continuing on to Paris). Thalys could get in on the act, and always ensure a certain number of seats are reserved for the more profitable Paris-bound passengers. Rolling stock could be acquired for only the Benelux services, that could also be combined for domestic runs within the Netherlands. There are many Dutch commuters who value the time saving, and even saving 5 minutes each way between Amsterdam and Rotterdam is valuable if you commute daily.