Amsteltram coming, changes (R-net) bus lines

Starting points

Transport Region of Amsterdam described in 2023 the conditions the transport networks must meet when the streetcar connection from the Amstel streetcar to Uithoorn is put into operation. This applies to both streetcar and bus connection(s). The amsteltram is operated by GVB.

Three streetcar stops in Uithoorn

Three streetcar stops are planned in Uithoorn: a western stop in the Legmeer district (stop 'Aan de Zoom'), a central stop at the existing Uithoorn bus station, and an eastern stop near the old station building (stop Uithoorn Centrum). In Amstelveen, an additional stop is planned at a later stage north of the N201 and south of the current Westwijk terminus. The Sacharovlaan stop has an important transfer function.

The changes in the bus network

As of July 21, 2024, Connexxion R-net lines 347, 348, and 358 are discontinued and a new line is introduced; line 178.

Rush hour line 274 is shortened via Amstelplein to Uithoorn Zijdelwaard.

Line 174 now runs twice per hour, including weekends and evenings, and has a new route in Uithoorn to continue serving Zijdelwaard. The Amsteltram takes over R-net lines 347 and 348 in Uithoorn. The combination of lines 174 and 274 still exists but no longer goes through Legmeer. Instead, it goes to Zijdelwaard with a new route in Uithoorn. Additionally, Connexxion line 357 runs eight times per hour between Aalsmeer Bus Station and Amsterdam Elandsgracht (four times per hour during rush hour from Kudelstaart and twice per hour during off-peak hours, evenings, and weekends).

The Sacharovlaan stop in Amstelveen is an important transfer point for line 357. Line 358 is discontinued, and line 357 serves as its alternative. For passengers from Amstelveen who do not live near the Amsteltram, the new line 178 is introduced. This line runs from Poortwachter via Amstelveen bus station to Amsterdam Zuid and follows the same route as the current lines 274 and 348.

The bus lines in a row

Line 174: Uithoorn Amstelplein - Amstelveen
The route changes within Uithoorn. The line no longer runs via Legmeer (since the Amsteltram covers that area) but goes via Zijdelwaard (where the R-net lines 347 and 348 are discontinued) to Amstelveen. The route in Amstelveen remains unchanged, including the one-way routes via Raadhuis and Rembrandtweg. At the Brink express tram stop, passengers can still transfer between the express streetcar and the bus. Line 174 operates twice per hour in both directions between Uithoorn Amstelwijk and Amstelveen bus station.

Line 178: Amstelveen Poortwachter - Amsterdam Zuid
This new line follows almost the same route as the old lines 274 and 348 between Poortwachter and Amsterdam Zuid. Line 274 is discontinued in Amstelveen and to Amsterdam Zuid, and line 348 is completely discontinued. Line 178 is a “disconnecting” line with fewer stops, allowing for shorter walking distances and the potential to add more stops along the route. The Municipality of Amstelveen wants to add three new stops: Startbaan, Plesmansingel, and Heemraadschapslaan.

The Travelers’ Advisory Council has requested the reopening of the Koenenkade stop in Amsterdam, and Connexxion has agreed. Since turning around at Poortwachter is not possible, the route now goes via Beneluxbaan, so the Grote Beer stop in the direction of Amsterdam is also used as the exit stop.

Line 178 runs four times per hour on weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00, with a quarter-hour service. Outside these hours, including early trips and evenings, it runs every half hour.

Line 274: Uithoorn Amstelplein - Amsterdam Zuid
This rush hour line is now shortened to Zijdelwaard from Uithoorn Amstelplein. Within Uithoorn, it operates between the half-hourly service of Line 174, providing connections every fifteen minutes to and from Zijdelwaard.

Line 347: Uithoorn Bus Station - Amsterdam Elandsgracht
This line is discontinued with the introduction of the Amsteltram.

Line 348: Uithoorn Bus Station - Amsterdam South
This line is canceled with the introduction of the Amsteltram.

Line 357: Aalsmeer - Amsterdam Elandsgracht
This line is extended to Kudelstaart, maintaining the same frequency as Line 358 did (four times per hour during rush hours and twice per hour outside of rush hours). Between Aalsmeer and Amsterdam Elandsgracht, the frequency is eight times per hour. New stops and a pedestrian bridge at Legmeerdijk near Royal Floraholland are added. The stops at the Floraholland traffic circle are removed, allowing the line to go directly to Amsterdam without extra loops on the Floraholland grounds.

Line 358: Kudelstaart/Aalsmeer - Amsterdam South
This line is discontinued with the extension of Line 357 to Kudelstaart and the introduction of the Amsteltram.

Line N47: Uithoorn Bus Station - Amsterdam CS
This night line continues to run because the Amsteltram does not operate at night.

Transfer stop Sacharovlaan

It was mentioned earlier that R-net 357 will have an important transfer function. This is because without this transfer it is not possible to cancel line 347, 348 and line 358. Precisely because the Amstel streetcar runs 6x per hour and R-net 357 8x per hour, it is important that the Sacharovlaan interchange offers the quality that waiting passengers can expect.

With the cancellation of R-net 347/348 and shortening of rush hour line 274, there is no longer a direct public transport connection for travelers from Uithoorn to Amstelveen bus station, metro station Amstelveenseweg, Haarlemmermeer station, Museumplein and Leidseplein (Amsterdam Center). With the change of R-net line 357 to 8x per hour, this disadvantage is overcome. All travelers from Uithoorn who travel with the Amsteltram can transfer to line 357 on weekdays every 10 minutes (6x per hour) at the Sacharovlaan stop, which serves all the above destinations 8x per hour.

The same goes for travelers from Aalsmeer/Kudelstaart who want to travel to Amsterdam Zuid. With the elimination of line 358 and expansion of line 357, a better connection to the center of Amsterdam has been created from both places, but there are no direct buses to Amsterdam Zuid. The Amstel streetcar stops at the Sacharovlaan stop, and travelers from Kudelstaart and Aalsmeer can travel to Station Zuid with one transfer. The main transfer is at the Sacharovlaan stop.

Impact on subscriptions

If you travel with a Randstad North Zone Subscription (RNZA) then nothing changes. The season ticket is valid in a chosen travel area and does not depend on the carrier used to travel within this area. Even after July 20th, 2024, RNZA monthly and yearly subscriptions remain valid within the same zones.

If you travel with a Connexxion Amstelland Vrij (AML Vrij) monthly or annual season ticket, there will be changes. The Connexxion AML Vrij subscription is NOT valid on the Amsteltram (GVB). This means the following:

• A number of Connexxion bus lines will be cancelled. If you are used to traveling one of those bus lines, your AML Vrij subscription may no longer be the best solution for you.
• You can opt for an RNZA annual pass that allows you to travel on both GVB and Connexxion.