EUROPE: Dutch open access new entrant GoVolta has launched low-cost passenger services from Amsterdam to Berlin and Hamburg, as the first step in its ambitious plan to make international rail travel more accessible to a wider audience as an alternative to short and medium-haul flights and car journeys.
The company said more than 40 000 tickets had been sold ahead of the departure of the first train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin at 08.34 on March 19.
Two routes
GoVolta is initially offering two routes, each operating three times per week.
The Amsterdam to Berlin Gesundbrunnen (Spandau from June 14) return service runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, operating via Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo, Bad Bentheim, Osnabrück and Hannover. The service will increase to daily from July 1.
The Amsterdam – Hamburg route launched on March 20 runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and serves Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo and Bremen.
Affordable, comfortable and accessible
‘We believe international rail travel should be affordable, comfortable and accessible to everyone’, said GoVolta co-founder and CEO Maarten Bastian. ‘Today proves that it is possible. With more than 600 passengers onboard our first service, the demand speaks for itself. This is just the beginning.’
He said the launch ‘is the result of years of building, setbacks, sleepless nights, decisions and persistence. There were many moments along the way where things could have gone differently — but we kept going. That’s the less romantic side of trying to make train travel more affordable. Seeing a sold-out first train is more than a milestone. It confirms that there is real demand for affordable and accessible international rail travel.’
Co-founder Hessel Winkelman said ‘with our affordable fares, we are opening up international rail travel to a completely new audience. Families, students and anyone who wants to explore Europe by train without breaking the bank.’
Operations
GoVolta is responsible for the overall product, commercial strategy, scheduling and the onboard staff. Keolis manages train operations, including the drivers and planning. Brouwer Technology is responsible for rolling stock maintenance.
Services are operated using former SNCB I10 coaches which have been refurbished by Brouwer Technology. Passengers can choose between Economy and Comfort classes, with all tickets including allocated seats. The XL Duo Seat option enables passengers in Economy to book the seat opposite at a reduced rate to have extra space and always face the direction of travel.
Fares start at €19, with an average cost of €30 for a Amsterdam – Berlin single ticket.
NS International said the launch was ‘good news for anyone who likes to travel by international train’, meaning ’more options and more choice towards Germany’, and that GoVolta services would soon be available to book via NS International.
Expansion plans
Looking ahead, GoVolta has ambitious expansion plans with Winkelman saying it want to grows to become the low-cost carrier for international train travel in Europe.
GoVolta intends to launch a Amsterdam – Gent – Paris service in December 2026, with an average return fare of €50 intended to be significantly cheaper than current rail fares.
Further destinations including Basel and München are planned beyond 2027, with the long-term goal of building a broad European network.
‘We notice that many people would like to take the train, but currently often end up choosing the plane or car because the train is too expensive or too complicated’, Bastian said in December. ‘With GoVolta, we are going to make it very simple: affordable tickets and always a guaranteed seat.’
Winkelman said ‘if you ask people about international trains, you hear the same story every time. You spend a long time searching, you pay high prices, and even then it is questionable whether you will get a seat at all. We want to break that cycle. With GoVolta, you know exactly where you stand in just a few clicks: affordable prices, always a reserved seat, and a direct connection.’
He said ’we want you to take the train from Amsterdam to Hamburg, Berlin or Paris just as naturally as you take the plane now. If we arrange that well in terms of price, convenience and reliability, many more people will make the switch.’
At the launch event Jeroen Wesdorp, Programme Manager for International Rail Services at ProRail, said ‘as an infrastructure manager, we are delighted to welcome GoVolta. More international services mean greater choice for passengers. The more attractive and affordable rail options become, the easier it is to shift from cars and planes to trains, something that is essential for both the climate and Europe’s connectivity.’
