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 viaduct in The Hague and a new tunnel in Rotterdam.
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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.
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) |
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.
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.
| Series: | Train Type: | Route: | Material: | Frequency: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR3 | RandstadRail (Zoetermeer Stadslijn) | Arnold Spoelplein - Pisuissestraat - Mozartlaan - Heliotrooplaan - Muurbloemweg - Hoefbladlaan - De Savornin Lohmanplein - Appelstraat - Zonnebloemstraat - Azaleaplein - Goudenregenstraat - Fahrenheitstraat - Valkenbosplein - Conradkade - Van Speijkstraat - Elandstraat - MCH Westeinde - Brouwersgracht - Grote Markt - Spui - Den Haag Centraal - Beatrixkwartier - Laan van NOI - Voorburg 't Loo - Leidschendam-Voorburg - Forepark - Leidschenveen - Voorweg (Low Level) - Centrum West - Stadhuis - Palenstein - Seghwaert - Leidsewallen - De Leyens - Buytenwegh - Voorweg (High Level) - Meerzicht - Driemanspolder - Delftsewallen - Dorp - Centrum West | HTM RegioCidatis Tram | 6x per hour (Monday - Saturday, every 10 minutes), 4x per hour (Sundays and Evenings after 8pm, every 15 minutes) |
| RR4 | RandstadRail (Zoetermeer Stadslijn) | De Uithof - Beresteinaan - Bouwlustlaan - De Rade - Dedemsvaart - Zuidwoldepad - Leyenburg - Monnickendamplein - Tienhovenselaan - Dierenselaan - De La Reyweg - Monstersestraat - MCH Westeinde - Brouwersgracht - Grote Markt - Spui - Den Haag Centraal - Beatrixkwartier - Laan van NOI - Voorburg 't Loo - Leidschendam-Voorburg - Forepark - Leidschenveen - Voorweg (Low Level) - Centrum West - Stadhuis - Palenstein - Seghwaert - Willem Dreeslaan - Oosterheem - Javalaan | HTM RegioCitadis Tram | 6x per hour (Monday - Saturday, every 10 minutes), 4x per hour (Sundays and Evenings after 8pm, every 15 minutes) |
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