New railway line could shorten Groningen to Amsterdam trip to just 68 minutes

The optimal performance of the Lelylijn railway line would shorten the travel time from Groningen to Amsterdam-Zuid to 68 minutes. The project organization of the Lelylijn reported this based on research results from three possible trajectories. The train would go from Amsterdam to Groningen and back, with stops in Lelystad, Emmeloord, Heerenveen, and Drachten.

If this route is chosen, it will be the first time that Drachten has a major train connection. This would reduce the travel time from the town to Groningen to 15 minutes, as opposed to the 45 minutes that it currently now. The trip to Amsterdam would take around an hour. Stations that are not directly on the Lelylijn, like Leeuwarden and Grou-Jirnsum, would also see a reduction in travel time to the Randstad.

It has not been confirmed what trajectory the Lelylijn will take. However, the chances of the railway coming to fruition have improved in the last month. The line is included in the European rail network, and the coalition parties have included the construction of the line in the coalition agreement.

The other two possible trajectories, via the Afsluitdijk or Assen, have a longer travel time and have never been favored by the people involved.

Business associations VNO-NCW Noord and MKB Noord responded positively to the results in a press release. The organizations see opportunities for workers to live in the north but work in the west of the country.

They also see opportunities to attract employees in Emmeloord. “I am in favor of a Lelylijn full of young people who are going to work in World Potato City Emmeloord,” said Jan van Hoogten, an advisor for VNO-NCW.