Dutch rail operator NS is threatening to close down a railway station in Noord-Brabant because of nuisance caused by asylum seekers, and wants government compensation for extra security measures.

Maarheeze station, which is within 30 minutes walking distance from an asylum seekers’ centre in Budel, has faced problems for years, with asylum seekers threatening staff and dodging fares, NS officials say.

The railway firm has now written to MPs, saying “talks with those involved have not resulted in a permanent solution”. The train operator also wants compensation for safety measures around the station, such as security gates and extra surveillance at “risk hours”, which have set the NS back €2.3 million.

Locals are angry that the station, which links Maarheeze with Eindhoven and Weert, could disappear given it was only established in 2010. Some 1,200 people use the station on a daily basis.

“The council is not impressed by the threat and I think it feels NS is just upping the pressure on The Hague and that it won’t really happen. But we are not so sure,” Harm van Leuken, spokesman for local crime prevention group told the Telegraaf.

Maarheeze station is used by students and people who work in Eindhoven, one local told the paper. Its ample parking also attracts people from outside Maarheeze who park and take the train to continue their journey.

“You will likely find yourself in slow-moving traffic to Eindhoven but the train takes just 17 minutes to the centre,” another local said. Van Leuken said locals will fight the decision by NS, if it goes ahead.

In 2023, bus company Hermes closed the stop outside the refugee centre because of probems.

Large centre

The Budel refugee centre is the biggest in the country after Ter Apel, and like Ter Apel focuses on new arrivals. It currently has space for 1,500 people, and is partly housed in former army barracks.

Part of the centre is used to house people, mainly young men, who come from safe third countries and are probably ineligible for asylum.