Proposed 30 km/h speed limits in Diemen, Oostzaan, Uithoorn could cut bus frequency
Plans to lower the maximum speed on certain roads in Oostzaan, Diemen, and Uithoorn from 50 to 30 kilometers per hour over the next five years could slow bus services and reduce frequency, officials said.
The Vervoerregio Amsterdam (Amsterdam Transport Region), the regional transport authority coordinating Amsterdam and surrounding municipalities, confirmed that “joint coordination” is underway regarding possible speed limit reductions. Several roads are already under consideration for the change.
Lowering the speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour is expected to increase public transport travel times, the Vervoerregio said. “This makes public transport less attractive for passengers, but also impacts the operator. More hours are needed to run the same schedule, which raises costs. Due to concession agreements, this cannot be absorbed easily,” a spokesperson said.
Amsterdam already enforces a 30-kilometer-per-hour limit on most city roads since December 2023.
For bus line 111, which serves parts of Noord, a lower speed could add two minutes to travel time. The Vervoerregio explained that the round trip would then require an extra bus and driver to maintain the current four trips per hour. “If that extra capacity is not available, the frequency must be reduced to three trips per hour,” the statement said.
Each municipality will decide independently whether to implement the speed limit reductions. Officials agreed to discuss any changes well in advance. The Vervoerregio said steps such as giving buses priority at traffic lights or moving bus stops onto the roadway could help mitigate the effects. “Joint coordination between municipalities and transport operators is essential,” it said.
