Why the Dutch found UK market easier to crack than their continental cousins

In the past five years, a succession of major European transport operators have found the UK rail market too tough to break into.

Those that have gone home with their tails between their legs after failing to win contracts include the Swedish, German and Danish national operators and French contenders RATP and Transdev. Connex, meanwhile, was stripped of its South Eastern franchise in disgrace.

Only Dutch national operator NS, and French group Keolis, part-owned by French state railway SNCF,...