In 2016, NS signed a contract with the train manufacturer Alstom for the supply of 79 new single-decker Intercity trains. The new trains are scheduled to come into use from the 2021 timetable onwards. These are trains with a total of 25,000 seats that can run on both the regular network and the HSL South. The introduction of the new trains will also ensure that the HSL is used more efficiently than originally planned, and that the frequency and speed on some routes can be increased. A mock-up of the new train was presented in 2017 that attracted a great deal of interest. This full-scale model shows what the train will look like and what passengers can expect in this new Intercity train. The train is fitted with all kinds of conveniences, including electricity sockets, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and wheelchair-accessible toilets. The new trains have the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System, the new European standard) and ATC (automatic train control, improved version) safety systems.
The design of the Intercity was the result of close consultations with passengers, conductors and drivers, maintenance staff and cleaners. A Train Test Team assessed the seats, the layout of the train areas, the art and the train setup.