Eindhoven 2 minute connection

[DeverseSam]

The image shows a 2 min connection at Eindhoven on the Bahn app, from platform 6 to 5

Instinctively it feels like a guaranteed (to be held) connection but how would I check this?

The Rail Planner app doesn’t allow less than 5 minutes which seems sensible, except when it’s a guaranteed connection

 

[DanielB]

Those 2 minute connections are very common in the Netherlands in case of cross-platform changes. However, there is no guarantee at all they are being held, you'd rely on the guard of the connecting train. Some will wait when they see the other train arriving, but this is no official policy.
Should the connection fail, the NS planner gives an alternative option in staying on the train from Venlo till 's-Hertogenbosch and changing there for Breda. That's a six minute change but you'll have to change platforms. And from 's-Hertogenbosch there's also a Sprinter to Breda should you not catch the IC.

Advise for such tight connections is to download an app like "Rijden de treinen" or the NS-app as these will show real-time train compositions in advance of your journey. That enables strategic boarding: should the connecting train in Eindhoven be much shorter than the one from Venlo you could take that in to account when deciding where to board. As this will potentially save you from a lot of walking, it increases the odds of making the connection.

 

[Bemined]

Good thing to know is that 2 minute connections are only shown when they are cross-platform, but indeed there is no guarantee that they will wait, this is probably one of the biggest complain from customers as it's kind of random. I believe the official policy is that the guard has to depart on time unless the signal operator holds the train, as guards do not know what the consequences of waiting can be (it is possible another train is planned to use that platform just a couple of minutes after and delaying that train could cause a chain reaction). But the signal operators do not always notice the delay or are busy dealing with another train, hence why these connections often fail when there are delays.

 

[DeverseSam]

Thank you for the very informative posts. The 2 minute cross platform thing seems to be specific to the Netherlands.

I see now that I can change the connection time in Rail Planner to 1 minute but this seems unwise for most countries.

The context of my journey today was Krefeld to Lille using non quota trains on Interrail. The 0942 ICE from Köln was cancelled and there were various alternatives from Rail Planner and Bahn apps and it seems the 5 minute min was causing Rail Planner to route me via Belgium, whereas Bahn.de somewhat more through the Netherlands

 

[rvdborgt]

I see now that I can change the connection time in Rail Planner to 1 minute but this seems unwise for most countries.

You can set it to one minute but it will still honour the minimum connection times.
Do take into account however that the rail planner app is often out of date and unreliable in general and should never be used to plan. bahn.com is much more reliable.

 

[dutchflyer]

Have travelled this way fairly often-for using my DEutschlandticket summerseason and long time blockage of the route via Arnhem.
As all said above: nothing is garanteed. However; THIS direction is say 95% reliable- as FROM Venlo delays are rare. The other way it remains a gamble.
Also note that what seems like a reliable time in Venlo: you may have to run, as its a longer walk and it is timed so that the crowd meets the crowd going the other way in the narrow tunnel/stairs if all goes on time. But the single track in DE and during that blockage (not now) the many more freights and rerouted ICE also meant many more trains had to go that way leading to much more serious delays there.

 

[DeverseSam]

You can set it to one minute but it will still honour the minimum connection times.
Do take into account however that the rail planner app is often out of date and unreliable in general and should never be used to plan. bahn.com is much more reliable.

Thank you. Unfortunately Bahn.com gives quota-controlled trains which are impossible for on the day booking..

 

[30907]

Thank you. Unfortunately Bahn.com gives quota-controlled trains which are impossible for on the day booking..

It isn't difficult to exclude High-speed services, though on the one route where ICE and ES both operate you can't be selective - it used to be possible to specify different types of service on sections of the journey, but that seems to have gone

 

[rvdborgt]

It isn't difficult to exclude High-speed services, though on the one route where ICE and ES both operate you can't be selective

In this particular case, you could add "via Brussel-Noord".

- it used to be possible to specify different types of service on sections of the journey, but that seems to have gone

It's still available here:

Deutsche Bahn: bahn.de - TravelService - Query page

reiseauskunft.bahn.de

 

[30907]

In this particular case, you could add "via Brussel-Noord".

...and specify direct train only. I'd forgotten that trick though.

It's still available here:

Deutsche Bahn: bahn.de - TravelService - Query page

reiseauskunft.bahn.de

Thanks, I must bookmark it!

 

[miklcct]

I tried a 2-minute connection from Den Haag HS via Leiden to Amsterdam Zuid yesterday as recommended by 9292.nl . The first train was delayed by the 2 minutes and we did make the connection.