Uncertainty about dismantling the metro network: 'Don't have a discussion too early'

At the end of February, the Transport District, a transport partnership between Amsterdam and surrounding municipalities, distributed a document discussing the dismantling. This means that fewer metro lines operate on the same route and thus the number of metro lines on the same line can increase. The result is that some Amsterdam residents are forced to transfer because they have lost their direct line.

Councilors and Zuidoost residents fear this will mean the disappearance of the direct metro line from Gaasperplas to Central Station. Last week, during the municipal meeting, all political parties adopted a proposal to “allocate time during the first two years of the concession to work on the dismantling process and the different scenarios for it”, thus not starting direct contact immediately. To raise.

The issue was discussed tonight during a meeting of the so-called Regional Council. SP councilor Eric Popledijk said that municipal councilors decided “unanimously” to keep the metro line. He was then corrected by coalition councilors Elisabeth Eijmaker (GroenLinks) and Elise Moskops (D66), who emphasized that it was not necessarily about preserving the line, but about developing different plans. “I stand shoulder to shoulder with the residents, and if this is proposed again, we will be there again,” Popledijk responded.

“I understand that very well that we have to take time, that there are different ways to do it, and that we have to talk about that very carefully,” Van der Horst replied. “I also understand the sensitivities. However, the situation will not be the same as it is now in five years. It will be really different. If we want to attract more people to use the metro, we will have to increase frequencies.”

In addition, van der Horst stressed that the use of public transport is growing by 40 percent, and therefore more subways will have to be operated, because otherwise “it is no longer a comfortable journey for anyone.” But she said the transportation district's executive board has not yet formally read the board members' letter. “I have not yet been able to discuss the matter with my colleagues. So I think we should be careful not to have a discussion too early. Please also give us the opportunity to take note of the message and respond to it. etc.”

The plans are far from finalized. Council members are now conveying their wishes and concerns and the municipality itself will also provide advice. The CFP will eventually have to show what deconstruction looks like. The disappearance of the direct connection from Gaasperplas to the central station was also on the table in recent years, but the final decision has been postponed.