New rush hour tram line launched in The Hague on Monday
On Monday, The Hague launched a new tram line, Tram Line 10, aimed at easing congestion on existing tram routes during peak hours. The line operates only during busy periods and is designed to reduce pressure on tram lines 1, 9, and 16, which are often overcrowded. Tram Line 10 runs Monday through Thursday, operating between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and again between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Tram Line 10 is a reintroduction of an old route. Previously, this tramline ran between Statenkwartier and Voorburg. However, the new version of Line 10 now operates between Vrederust and Scheveningen-Noord, using portions of existing tram routes.
Starting from the Vrederust stop, the tram follows the same path as Line 9 until it reaches Loevesteinlaan, where it switches to Line 16's track. At Hollands Spoor station, the tram continues on Line 1's route towards Scheveningen-Noord.
For some passengers, the introduction of Tram Line 10 caused confusion on its first day. "Isn't this line 9?" asked one commuter, according to Omroep West. The new tram service uses familiar routes but follows a new path during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
A spokesperson for HTM, the public transport company in The Hague, explained that the new tram line was introduced specifically to alleviate the heavy traffic during rush hours on lines 1, 9, and 16. "These lines are quite crowded during peak times," said the spokesperson.
The trams on this line will remain in the signature red-beige color scheme. Despite the initial confusion, the spokesperson reassured commuters that the new tram service would soon become familiar. "It's not surprising that passengers might get mixed up, as this route usually only runs Line 9. However, we expect that once people get used to it, Tram Line 10 will be an added benefit for our travelers," the spokesperson said.
In addition to the new tram service, passengers in The Hague and across the Netherlands will notice a rise in fares starting January 1. Public transport fares have increased, with the base fare now set at 1.12 euros and the price per kilometer rising to 0.193 euros. Prices for individual tickets and subscriptions have also gone up.
