Environment/sustainability

Public transport operators Transdev and Keolis are scaling back their Utrecht bus timetables by up to 11 per cent to tackle a surge in unpredictable cancellations and delays. Operating under the U-OV brand, the companies have faced significant hurdles since December, including driver shortages, equipment delivery delays, and power grid congestion affecting their new electric bus fleets. While the province will impose fines for the missed services, officials argue that a reduced but reliable timetable is preferable to the current level of disruption. To protect essential travel, both carriers have pledged to prioritise routes serving schools and hospitals while they continue to recruit new staff and engage private coach companies to fill the gaps.

European gas prices jumped by more than 9% on Thursday morning, reaching €53.26 per megawatt-hour on the Amsterdam exchange as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its sixth day. Although a US-led plan to protect shipping briefly steadied markets on Wednesday, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fueled fears of a long-term energy shortage. This latest price spike was triggered by Iranian claims of an attack on an American tanker in the Persian Gulf, leaving traders increasingly worried about the security of vital global fuel supplies.

Enexis invested a record-breaking €1.9 billion in the electricity grid throughout 2025, laying over 1,600 kilometres of cabling and constructing hundreds of substations across the northern and southern Netherlands. However, the operator warns that demand is still outstripping the pace of expansion, leaving the network at full capacity in many areas and resulting in a business waiting list of over 10,000 applications. Chief Executive Rutger van der Leeuw has cautioned that households may also face delays in the future, as the immense cost of these upgrades—exceeding daily tariff income by over €2 million—continues to place significant strain on the company’s finances.

Eindhoven officials have launched a study into the possible reconstruction of a neo-Gothic city hall demolished in the 1960s. The move follows a successful public petition and a meeting between residents and city leaders to discuss restoring the historic landmark. Authorities are now weighing the costs and practicalities of bringing the 19th-century building back to the city centre.

Dutch business investment fell by 2.6 per cent in December 2025, marking a third consecutive monthly decline driven largely by a slump in the aviation and road transport sectors. Despite reduced spending on lorries and vans, growth was recorded in passenger cars, buildings, and defence equipment. Looking ahead, the CBS "investment radar" suggests a less unfavourable climate for early 2026, bolstered by rising industrial capacity and stronger goods exports.

KLM is recruiting temporary staff and deploying new digital tools to tackle a surge in customer claims following a chaotic start to 2026. Severe winter weather at Schiphol Airport led to hundreds of cancelled flights in January and February, costing parent company Air France-KLM an estimated €90 million.