RandstadRail
RandstadRail network in the southern part of the Randstad conurbation in the west of the Netherlands, connecting The Hague, Zoetermeer and Rotterdam, consists of a metro-like line between The Hague and Rotterdam and two light rail lines between The Hague and Zoetermeer. The network mainly uses former train and existing tram tracks, with a new flyover in The Hague and a new tunnel in Rotterdam.
Routes
Randstadrail is actually a hybrid system of low-floor tram-train-like carriages used between The Hague and the suburb of Zoetermeer, and high-floor metro-like carriages between The Hague and Rotterdam. The stations used by both lines have extended platforms with a high and a low part.
The Hague to Rotterdam (line E)
Line E, also formerly called Erasmuslijn, runs for a great part on the former Hofpleinlijn railway line between The Hague central station and Rotterdam central station, operated since November 2006 by RET metro trains. At the time of the conversion to metro-like operation (retaining some level crossings) more stops were added and frequencies increased. Although the conversion was not flawless, with both a series of technical problems and a derailment[1], the line has been in full metro-like operation since September 2007. Rotterdam Hofplein terminus has been replaced in 2010 by a tunnel to connect with the local metro-network at Rotterdam Centraal railway station. In December 2011, the line was extended to Slinge metro station in the south of Rotterdam, sharing the section between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge with the already existing metro line D.
| Service | Route | Material | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Den Haag Centraal - Laan van NOI - Voorburg 't Loo - Leidschendam-Voorburg - Forepark - Leidschenveen - Nootdorp - Pijnacker Centrum - Pijnacker Zuid - Berkel Westpolder - Rodenrijs - Meijersplein - Melanchthonweg - Blijdorp - Rotterdam Centraal - Stadhuis - Beurs - Leuvehaven - Wilhelminaplein - Rijnhaven - Maashaven - Zuidplein - Slinge | RET Metro | 6x per hour (every 10 minutes) |
The Hague to Zoetermeer (lines 3 and 4)
Lines 3 and 4 are light rail routes operated by HTM connecting the south-west of The Hague with Zoetermeer. Tram tracks in The Hague have been adapted for the longer and wider Citadis vehicles, and both lines use the new premetro tram tunnel under the Spui. More tram lines in the The Hague-area are scheduled for conversion to RandstadRail lines[citation needed].
Line 3 runs from Loosduinen in the south-west of The Hague through the city center and then turns into a circle line in Zoetermeer. Line 4 runs from the southern edge of The Hague through the city center to the east of Zoetermeer.
In Zoetermeer these lines run over the former Zoetermeer Stadslijn. This was the only city railway in the Netherlands. Tt was rebuilt for RandstadRail's low-floor vehicles.
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A viaduct connects former train and tram tracks in The Hague. -
Leidschendam-Voorburg station with two HTM light rail trams for lines 3 and 4. -
Nootdorp station with two combined RET metro trains for line E.
See also
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References
- ^ The most serious derailment took place on 29 November 2006, injuring 17 passengers.
External links
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