More and wider trams on Line 9

A new type of tram will be introduced to Line 9 in mid-2014. The line is one of the busiest tramlines in The Hague.

The so-called Avenio type tram is being manufactured by Siemens Rail Systems Division for the HTM Materieel B.V. operator in The Hague. Each Avenio built for The Hague is 35 metres long and provides space for 70 seated and 168 standing passengers. There are no steps in the gangways because the Avenio is a 100% low-floor tram.

Because the new generation of Avenio trams are wider and longer than the current generation and because the foundation of the rails needs to be replaced, the tracks and tram stops will have to be modified.

According to Deputy Mayor Peter Smit (Transportation), ‘The modifications to Tram 9 are important in terms of accommodating the growing number of people using public transportation. We will be bringing Line 9 up to the standard of the RandstadRail just like Line 2. This means larger trams which can serve more passengers and which are also more comfortable.’

Line 9 runs from Vrederust to Scheveningen. The biggest modifications are needed at The Hague’s Central Station, on the Koninginnegracht and from the Nieuwe Parklaan to the Zwarte Pad. The preliminary design for the portion between the Nieuwe Parklaan and Zwarte Pad includes an extra bicycle path on the Westbroekpark side.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment has agreed to the new purpose for its € 48 million subsidy. This amount had been reserved for a tunnel under the Koninginnegracht, but can now be used to improve the quality of Line 9.

The Avenio will be manufactured at the Siemens plant in Vienna. Delivery to The Hague is scheduled to start in February 2014 and the last trams will arrive at the customer about one year later. Some of them will replace older vehicles.