NETHERLANDS | Amsterdam Central to get e-gates for Eurostar border checks

The Dutch House of Representatives or Tweede Kamer (Second House, Lower House) has called on the government to install automated border control gates at Amsterdam Central to speed up checks for Eurostar passengers travelling to London and reduce delays, Treinreiziger.nl reports.

A broad majority of MPs backed a proposal submitted by ChristenUnie, VVD, D66, PRO, JA21 and CDA. They want the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the Dutch military police responsible for border control, to install the gates and improve passenger flow.

Queues and delays

All passengers travelling to London in the United Kingdom must undergo border checks before boarding. The process regularly causes long queues and delays. According to Treinreiziger, around two-thirds of Eurostar trains leaving Amsterdam Central currently depart late.

Automated gates have already been in use for some time at Eurostar’s terminal at Brussels-South. No timetable has yet been announced for their installation in Amsterdam.

Long-standing concerns

The problems with border checks in Amsterdam have attracted criticism from politicians and passenger association Rover. PRO MP Habtamu de Hoop recently submitted parliamentary questions about the difficulties, while Rover has called on the government to make checks more efficient and free of charge for passengers.

Rover director Daan Zieren welcomed the parliamentary decision, saying the association had repeatedly warned about the unsustainable queues. He urged the government to act quickly so passengers would not have to endure further delays.

Who pays for border checks?

Rover considers the decision to introduce e-gates an important first step, but also wants the cost of border checks removed from Eurostar. The operator currently pays around €6 million a year for the checks, whereas airport border controls are funded by the Dutch government.

Zieren argued that encouraging sustainable travel also means ensuring equal treatment for rail and air transport.

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