Rotterdam Metro
Encyclopedia
The Rotterdam Metro is a rapid transit
system operated in Rotterdam
and surrounding municipalities by RET
. The first line, called Noord - Zuidlijn (North - South line) opened in 1968 and ran from Centraal Station
to Zuidplein
, crossing the river Nieuwe Maas
in a tunnel. It was the first metro
system to open in the Netherlands. At the time it was also one of the shortest metro lines in the world with a length of only 5.9 kilometres (3.7 mi).
In 1982 a second line was opened, the so called Oost - Westlijn (East - West line), running between Capelsebrug and Coolhaven stations. In the late 1990s, the lines were named after two historic Rotterdam
citizens, the Erasmus Line (North - South) after Desiderius Erasmus
and the Caland Line (East - West) after Pieter Caland
. As of December 2009, these names were dropped again in favor of a combination of letters and colors, to emphasize and clarify the difference between the several branches of especially the former East West line.
(Line B). The latter one has been extended since September 2005; before that date, this line terminated at De Tochten
.
North of Capelsebrug station, with the exception of the De Tochten-Nesselande section, lines A and B have some level crossing
s (with priority), and could therefore be called light rail
instead of metro. These parts also have overhead wires, while most of the system has a third rail
(the other exception is line E (RandstadRail) to The Hague). However, the term 'light rail' is not used in Rotterdam, most people just call these branches metro.
in Capelle aan den IJssel
. Until November 2002, the Calandlijn (now lines A, B and C) terminated in the west of Rotterdam, at Marconiplein. On November 4, 2002 an extension through the city of Schiedam
towards Spijkenisse
was opened. The extension included 4 new stations in Schiedam (including Schiedam Centrum railway station
) and one in Pernis
. Line C joins Line D at the new Tussenwater station
in Hoogvliet
. Trains of Lines A and B still terminate at Schiedam Centrum, while the Line C trains continue and, like those on the Line D, terminate at De Akkers station in Spijkenisse.
via Beurs, Slinge
, Rhoon
, Tussenwater
, and Spijkenisse Centrum
towards De Akkers.
Line D intersects with Lines A-B-C at Beurs station, the only underground interchange between metrolines in the Netherlands. Until the connection with Line E at Rotterdam Centraal is realized, some Line D trains will terminate at Slinge.
was converted from a railway line to a rapid transit line in 2006, the old Hofplein station
was temporarily kept as the line's southern terminus. On August 17, 2010 however, a new tunnel opened, which connected the metro station of Rotterdam Centraal
via a new tunnel and new Blijdorp station
with the existing tracks near Melanchthonweg station
.
There is still work in progress to connect Line D to Line E at Rotterdam Centraal station, after which all trains coming from The Hague will terminate at Slinge
(these will be Line E trains), while line D keeps it current service between De Akkers and Rotterdam Centraal.
The new series 5500 trains, made between 2007 and 2009, were built for the new RandstadRail line E. The 5601-5642 trains were built to replace older Düwag stock (series 5200).
, as RET
will take over the train line from NS
. The new line will connect to the existing network at Schiedam Centrum. Part of the project is the addition of a new station at Maassluis.
As part of the "Stadionpark" project, a new line between Zuidplein
and Kralingse Zoom
is planned. This new line will bypass the existing transfer at Beurs and will provide better public transport connections for residential areas on the South bank of Rotterdam.
which is supplied through a bottom-contact third rail
throughout most of the system. There are multiple spring-loaded contact shoes on both sides of the vehicle, which are loaded and unloaded automatically due to the slanted edges of third rail ends. This allows the rail to be installed on either side of the track, a necessity around points
and station platforms. There is sufficient overlap between the two rails on either end to avoid a "gapped" train, a situation where none of the shoes are in contact with the live rail. To reduce the risk of electrocution
, the rail consists of a sturdy yellow insulating
material, with the live current carried on a thick metal strip on the bottom side. This also guards against grime (such as from fallen autumn leaves
) reducing or preventing electrical contact.
Three lines do however use overhead wires. After passing Capelsebrug station, trains bound for Binnenhof (Line A) or Nesselande (Line B) raise their pantograph
while the vehicle is in motion. They will now pass (with priority) several protected level crossings at street level. For this reason, trains with a pantograph (series 5200 and 5400) are equipped with turn signals just like any road vehicle. This makes it easy to see the difference between series 5300 and series 5400 Bombardier-built trains.
Note that Line B trains, bound for Nesselande, will run on third rail again for the final leg of the journey, from the penultimate station De Tochten
to Nesselande
.
The other line with overhead wires is line E. Trains bound for The Hague raise their pantograph after leaving the tunnel from Blijdorp station to Melanchtonweg station.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system operated in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
and surrounding municipalities by RET
Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram
Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram is the main public transport operator in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It currently operates 28 bus lines, 9 tram lines and five metro/light rail lines in Rotterdam and the surrounding municipalities....
. The first line, called Noord - Zuidlijn (North - South line) opened in 1968 and ran from Centraal Station
Rotterdam Centraal railway station
Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in the Netherlands.-History:The station opened June 3, 1847 as the Delftsche Poort railway station. The station building designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn opened in 1957 and closed on September 2, 2007...
to Zuidplein
Zuidplein (Rotterdam Metro)
Zuidplein is an above-ground subway station in the south of the city of Rotterdam. It is part of Rotterdam Metro line D, and from 2011 will also be part of line E....
, crossing the river Nieuwe Maas
Nieuwe Maas
The Nieuwe Maas distributary of the Rhine River, and a former distributary of the Maas River, in the Dutch province of South Holland. It runs from the confluence of the rivers Noord and Lek, and flows west through Rotterdam. It ends west of the city where it meets the Oude Maas , near Vlaardingen,...
in a tunnel. It was the first metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system to open in the Netherlands. At the time it was also one of the shortest metro lines in the world with a length of only 5.9 kilometres (3.7 mi).
In 1982 a second line was opened, the so called Oost - Westlijn (East - West line), running between Capelsebrug and Coolhaven stations. In the late 1990s, the lines were named after two historic Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
citizens, the Erasmus Line (North - South) after Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian....
and the Caland Line (East - West) after Pieter Caland
Pieter Caland
Pieter Caland was a Dutch civil engineer in the service of the Rijkswaterstaat. He devised the plan for the Nieuwe Waterweg and implemented it from 1866 to 1872....
. As of December 2009, these names were dropped again in favor of a combination of letters and colors, to emphasize and clarify the difference between the several branches of especially the former East West line.
Lines
| Line | Southern / western terminus | Northern / eastern terminus |
|---|---|---|
| Line A | Schiedam Centrum Schiedam Centrum railway station Schiedam Centrum is a railway station and metro station in Schiedam, just to the west of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The station is located on the railway line between Den Haag and Rotterdam Centraal, and forms the beginning of the railway line towards Hoek van Holland... |
Binnenhof |
| Line B | Schiedam Centrum Schiedam Centrum railway station Schiedam Centrum is a railway station and metro station in Schiedam, just to the west of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The station is located on the railway line between Den Haag and Rotterdam Centraal, and forms the beginning of the railway line towards Hoek van Holland... |
Nesselande Nesselande (Rotterdam Metro) Nesselande is a subway station on Line B of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in Rotterdam-Nesselande. It is the northern terminus of the line.... |
| Line C | De Akkers | De Terp De Terp (Rotterdam Metro) De Terp is a subway station on Line C of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in the town of Capelle aan den IJssel, just east of Rotterdam. It is the northern terminus of the line.... |
| Line D | De Akkers | Rotterdam Centraal Rotterdam Centraal railway station Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in the Netherlands.-History:The station opened June 3, 1847 as the Delftsche Poort railway station. The station building designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn opened in 1957 and closed on September 2, 2007... |
| Line E | Rotterdam Centraal Rotterdam Centraal railway station Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in the Netherlands.-History:The station opened June 3, 1847 as the Delftsche Poort railway station. The station building designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn opened in 1957 and closed on September 2, 2007... (as of 2011: Slinge Slinge (Rotterdam Metro) Slinge is an above-ground subway station in the south of the city of Rotterdam. It is part of Rotterdam Metro line D, and from 2011, will be the southern terminus of line E... ) |
Den Haag Centraal |
Lines A and B
In the northeast of Rotterdam, Lines A and B branches of to Binnenhof (Line A) and to NesselandeNesselande (Rotterdam Metro)
Nesselande is a subway station on Line B of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in Rotterdam-Nesselande. It is the northern terminus of the line....
(Line B). The latter one has been extended since September 2005; before that date, this line terminated at De Tochten
De Tochten (Rotterdam Metro)
De Tochten is a subway station on Line B of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in Rotterdam-Zevenkamp. It is penultimate station of the line....
.
North of Capelsebrug station, with the exception of the De Tochten-Nesselande section, lines A and B have some level crossing
Level crossing
A level crossing occurs where a railway line is intersected by a road or path onone level, without recourse to a bridge or tunnel. It is a type of at-grade intersection. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion...
s (with priority), and could therefore be called light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
instead of metro. These parts also have overhead wires, while most of the system has a third rail
Third rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
(the other exception is line E (RandstadRail) to The Hague). However, the term 'light rail' is not used in Rotterdam, most people just call these branches metro.
Line C
At Capelsebrug, line C branches of from the main East-West section to De TerpDe Terp (Rotterdam Metro)
De Terp is a subway station on Line C of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in the town of Capelle aan den IJssel, just east of Rotterdam. It is the northern terminus of the line....
in Capelle aan den IJssel
Capelle aan den IJssel
Capelle aan den IJssel is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 65,605 in 2005, and covers an area of 15.42 km² of which 1.13 km² is water...
. Until November 2002, the Calandlijn (now lines A, B and C) terminated in the west of Rotterdam, at Marconiplein. On November 4, 2002 an extension through the city of Schiedam
Schiedam
Schiedam is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It is part of the Rotterdam metropolitan area. The city is located west of Rotterdam, east of Vlaardingen and south of Delft...
towards Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 74,482 in 2006, and covers an area of 30.23 km²...
was opened. The extension included 4 new stations in Schiedam (including Schiedam Centrum railway station
Schiedam Centrum railway station
Schiedam Centrum is a railway station and metro station in Schiedam, just to the west of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The station is located on the railway line between Den Haag and Rotterdam Centraal, and forms the beginning of the railway line towards Hoek van Holland...
) and one in Pernis
Pernis (Netherlands)
thumb|200px|right|Pernis in 1865.Pernis is a village and district of the municipality of Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands. The district has a population of 4,560 on a total area size of 1.60 km². Pernis is not a full submunicipality of Rotterdam, but the former independent municipality...
. Line C joins Line D at the new Tussenwater station
Tussenwater (Rotterdam Metro)
Tussenwater is an above-ground subway station of the Rotterdam Metro lines C and D. The station is located in the borough Hoogvliet in Rotterdam....
in Hoogvliet
Hoogvliet
Hoogvliet is a town and separate borough within Rotterdam in the Netherlands. As of 1 January 2004, it had 36,619 inhabitants. There is also a named after the district.-History:...
. Trains of Lines A and B still terminate at Schiedam Centrum, while the Line C trains continue and, like those on the Line D, terminate at De Akkers station in Spijkenisse.
Line D
Line D runs from Rotterdam CentraalRotterdam Centraal railway station
Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in the Netherlands.-History:The station opened June 3, 1847 as the Delftsche Poort railway station. The station building designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn opened in 1957 and closed on September 2, 2007...
via Beurs, Slinge
Slinge (Rotterdam Metro)
Slinge is an above-ground subway station in the south of the city of Rotterdam. It is part of Rotterdam Metro line D, and from 2011, will be the southern terminus of line E...
, Rhoon
Rhoon (Rotterdam Metro)
Rhoon is an above-ground subway station of Rotterdam Metro line D. The station is located in Rhoon, a village in the municipality Albrandswaard to the southwest of Rotterdam.The station was opened on October 25, 1974...
, Tussenwater
Tussenwater (Rotterdam Metro)
Tussenwater is an above-ground subway station of the Rotterdam Metro lines C and D. The station is located in the borough Hoogvliet in Rotterdam....
, and Spijkenisse Centrum
Spijkenisse Centrum (Rotterdam Metro)
Spijkenisse Centrum is one of three subway stations in the Dutch city of Spijkenisse. The station is being served by trains of Rotterdam Metro lines C and D and features two side platforms. Located just outside the station is a hospital, as well as a bus station where travelers can get on local...
towards De Akkers.
Line D intersects with Lines A-B-C at Beurs station, the only underground interchange between metrolines in the Netherlands. Until the connection with Line E at Rotterdam Centraal is realized, some Line D trains will terminate at Slinge.
Line E
When the Hofplein LineHofpleinlijn
The Hofpleinlijn was one of the two railways between the Dutch cities of The Hague and Rotterdam. In 2006 it was converted to metro-like operation as RandstadRail line E.-History:...
was converted from a railway line to a rapid transit line in 2006, the old Hofplein station
Rotterdam Hofplein railway station
Rotterdam Hofplein, located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a former railway station as well as a former RandstadRail station. It was the terminus of the former Hofpleinlijn with services between Rotterdam and Scheveningen, later between Rotterdam and The Hague central station...
was temporarily kept as the line's southern terminus. On August 17, 2010 however, a new tunnel opened, which connected the metro station of Rotterdam Centraal
Rotterdam Centraal railway station
Rotterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in the Netherlands.-History:The station opened June 3, 1847 as the Delftsche Poort railway station. The station building designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn opened in 1957 and closed on September 2, 2007...
via a new tunnel and new Blijdorp station
Blijdorp RandstadRail station
Blijdorp is a RandstadRail station located in Rotterdam-Blijdorp, The Netherlands.The station was opened on August 17, 2010, together with the tunnel connecting the metro station of Rotterdam Centraal to the Hofpleinlijn, which is part of the RandstadRail project.Since the station opened, line E...
with the existing tracks near Melanchthonweg station
Melanchthonweg RandstadRail station
Melanchthonweg is a RandstadRail station located in Rotterdam-Schiebroek, The Netherlands.-History:The RandstadRail station opened on 10 September 2006 for the RET Erasmuslijn metro service, currently line E...
.
There is still work in progress to connect Line D to Line E at Rotterdam Centraal station, after which all trains coming from The Hague will terminate at Slinge
Slinge (Rotterdam Metro)
Slinge is an above-ground subway station in the south of the city of Rotterdam. It is part of Rotterdam Metro line D, and from 2011, will be the southern terminus of line E...
(these will be Line E trains), while line D keeps it current service between De Akkers and Rotterdam Centraal.
Rolling stock
| Series | Built | Vehicle numbers | Manufacturer | In service | Traction power supply | Vehicle length | Cabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 | 1966-1967 1970 |
5001-5027 5051-5066 |
Werkspoor | No | Third rail only | 29 m (95.1 ft) | 2 |
| 5100 | 1974–1975 | 5101-5126 5151-5152 |
Düwag | No | Third rail only | 29 m (95.1 ft) | 2 |
| 5200 | 1980–1984 | (5201-5271) 5201+5229 destroyed in a fire 31.10.2006 | Düwag | No | Third rail Overhead wire |
29.8 m (97.8 ft) | 2 |
| 5300 | 1998–2001 | 5301-5363 | Bombardier Bombardier Transportation Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.... |
Yes | Third rail only | 30.5 m (100.1 ft) | 1 |
| 5400 | 2001–2002 | 5401-5418 | Bombardier Bombardier Transportation Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.... |
Yes | Third rail Overhead wire |
30.5 m (100.1 ft) | 1 |
| 5500 | 2007–2009 | 5501-5522 | Bombardier Bombardier Transportation Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.... |
Yes | Third rail Overhead wire |
42 m (137.8 ft) | 2 |
| 5600 | 2009–2011 | 5601-5642 | Bombardier Bombardier Transportation Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.... |
Yes | Third rail Overhead wire |
42 m (137.8 ft) | 2 |
The new series 5500 trains, made between 2007 and 2009, were built for the new RandstadRail line E. The 5601-5642 trains were built to replace older Düwag stock (series 5200).
Future extensions
As of 2013, the metro network will be extended westward to Hoek van HollandHoek van Holland
The Hook of Holland , also known in English as the Hook, is a town in South Holland in the Netherlands. It is situated on the North Sea coast, on the north bank of the Nieuwe Waterweg ship canal. The town is administered by the municipality of Rotterdam as a district of that city...
, as RET
Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram
Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram is the main public transport operator in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It currently operates 28 bus lines, 9 tram lines and five metro/light rail lines in Rotterdam and the surrounding municipalities....
will take over the train line from NS
Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Nederlandse Spoorwegen , or NS, is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands.Its trains operate over the tracks of the Dutch national railinfrastructure, operated by ProRail, which was split off from NS in 2003...
. The new line will connect to the existing network at Schiedam Centrum. Part of the project is the addition of a new station at Maassluis.
As part of the "Stadionpark" project, a new line between Zuidplein
Zuidplein (Rotterdam Metro)
Zuidplein is an above-ground subway station in the south of the city of Rotterdam. It is part of Rotterdam Metro line D, and from 2011 will also be part of line E....
and Kralingse Zoom
Kralingse Zoom (Rotterdam Metro)
Kralingse Zoom is a subway station on lines A, B, and C of the Rotterdam Metro. The station is situated in the eastern part of Rotterdam, just west of the A16 motorway...
is planned. This new line will bypass the existing transfer at Beurs and will provide better public transport connections for residential areas on the South bank of Rotterdam.
Traction power
Trains run on 750 volts DC powerDirect current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
which is supplied through a bottom-contact third rail
Third rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
throughout most of the system. There are multiple spring-loaded contact shoes on both sides of the vehicle, which are loaded and unloaded automatically due to the slanted edges of third rail ends. This allows the rail to be installed on either side of the track, a necessity around points
Railroad switch
A railroad switch, turnout or [set of] points is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another at a railway junction....
and station platforms. There is sufficient overlap between the two rails on either end to avoid a "gapped" train, a situation where none of the shoes are in contact with the live rail. To reduce the risk of electrocution
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
, the rail consists of a sturdy yellow insulating
Electrical insulation
thumb|250px|[[Coaxial Cable]] with dielectric insulator supporting a central coreThis article refers to electrical insulation. For insulation of heat, see Thermal insulation...
material, with the live current carried on a thick metal strip on the bottom side. This also guards against grime (such as from fallen autumn leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
) reducing or preventing electrical contact.
Three lines do however use overhead wires. After passing Capelsebrug station, trains bound for Binnenhof (Line A) or Nesselande (Line B) raise their pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
while the vehicle is in motion. They will now pass (with priority) several protected level crossings at street level. For this reason, trains with a pantograph (series 5200 and 5400) are equipped with turn signals just like any road vehicle. This makes it easy to see the difference between series 5300 and series 5400 Bombardier-built trains.
Note that Line B trains, bound for Nesselande, will run on third rail again for the final leg of the journey, from the penultimate station De Tochten
De Tochten (Rotterdam Metro)
De Tochten is a subway station on Line B of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in Rotterdam-Zevenkamp. It is penultimate station of the line....
to Nesselande
Nesselande (Rotterdam Metro)
Nesselande is a subway station on Line B of the Rotterdam Metro and is situated in Rotterdam-Nesselande. It is the northern terminus of the line....
.
The other line with overhead wires is line E. Trains bound for The Hague raise their pantograph after leaving the tunnel from Blijdorp station to Melanchtonweg station.
Further reading
Jan van Huijksloot and Joachim Kost, Veertig jaar Metro in Rotterdam 1968-2008. Uitgeverij Uquilar, 2008.See also
- List of Rotterdam metro stations
- RandstadRailRandstadRailRandstadRail network in the southern part of the Randstad conurbation in the west of the Netherlands, connecting The Hague, Zoetermeer and Rotterdam, consists of a metro-like line between The Hague and Rotterdam and two light rail lines between The Hague and Zoetermeer...
- List of metro systems
- Trams in RotterdamTrams in RotterdamThe Rotterdam tramway network is a key element of the overall public transport arrangements in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Opened in 1879, the network currently has 8 regular lines and 3 occasional lines. It has been operated since 1927 by Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram .-History:The RET has had two...