Dutch Railways sold its UK subsidiary Abellio to the British management. The railway company announced this in an internal communication. The move ends NS's presence in the UK, where the company has been active since 2003.
The National Assembly has been a major player in neighboring countries for a long time, but a few years ago it decided to focus more on the Netherlands again. The foreign adventure generated a lot of sales, but it also raised additional concerns. Abellio suffered huge losses in Germany, while the railway company was heavily criticized in Scotland for poor passenger satisfaction.
Nowadays, politicians in The Hague view foreign investments from state-owned enterprises such as the National Assembly differently. She said last summer that if it were up to Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, she would not be allowed to make investments abroad unless they also contributed to the public interest of those companies in the Netherlands.
Abellio UK employs over 10,000 staff and mainly provides rail transport in the center of the country. British sales will generate at least €15 million for the NS. This amount could rise to €25 million, depending on Abellio UK's performance in the near future. Overall, his years in the UK earned him an estimated €100 to €180 million.
According to NS, the sale of Abellio UK is separate from Abellio Germany's activities. The company wants to maintain its presence with Abellio in its eastern neighbours. According to the National Association, activities there are “strategic importance” because they contribute to cross-border traffic for Dutch travelers who want to go to Germany.
