Amsterdam investigates light rail for public transit

By Janene Pieters on October 17, 2016 - 11:15
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I Amsterdam sign in rainbow colors to celebrate the 15th anniversary of marriage equality in the Netherlands, 1 Apr 2016 (Photo: @iamsterdam/Twitter). (I Amsterdam sign in rainbow colors to celebrate the 15th anniversary of marriage equality in the Netherlands, 1 Apr 2016 (Photo: @iamsterdam/Twitter))

Amsterdam is launching an investigation into installing a light rail for use as public transport in the city, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region announced over the weekend. The aim is to improve the accessibility to the capital, RTV Noord-Holland reports.

The light rail is a transport system that is somewhere between the train and the subway. The benefits of light rail versus bus or train include that the light rail can quickly and frequently transport large numbers of passengers. It also requires less space than the railway.

The government already promised 200 million euros to improve Amsterdam's accessibility. The possibilities of a light rail network is now being properly investigated for the first time, traffic alderman Pieter LItjens said, according to RTN NH. The route being investigated involves the west and south side of the city.

"Such a network can be an important factor in better access to the city for surrounding areas", Litjens said. "Additionally it offers the possibility to examine whether we can extend the Noord/Zuid subway line to Schiphol in addition to the existing tracks."

 

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