The Hague City Council approved the preliminary design for the renovation of tram line 12 last month. This decision will eventually allow the modern, sustainable, and accessible trams to operate throughout The Hague. Work on tram line 6 will begin at the end of this year.
Tram lines 1 and 16 have already been renovated. Stops have been widened, tracks replaced, and the infrastructure adapted for the new low-floor trams. Now the next phase is also in sight. ” With this decision on line 12, the last major tram line in The Hague can now be tackled, allowing our residents to soon use the new accessible trams throughout The Hague. This is another major step towards a city that remains accessible, livable, and safe for everyone ,” says Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Mobility).
The renovation is necessary because the current red-beige (GTL) trams are nearing the end of their lifespan and no longer meet accessibility requirements. In the coming years, The Hague will be switching to modern trams with low entry, including the new TINA trams, which will be introduced starting in 2027. These trams are quieter, more comfortable, offer greater capacity, and are fully accessible for people in wheelchairs, with strollers, or with walkers. The infrastructure along line 12 is currently being adapted for this purpose. All tram lines in The Hague must be ready for this by 2029 at the latest.
Erik Beenen, Director of Passengers (HTM): “ HTM is pleased that we can continue with the design for tram line 12 together with the municipality of The Hague. This will allow us to comfortably transport passengers in our spacious and accessible low-floor trams in the near future .”
Work on tram line 12
On the route of line 12 in the Regentesse and Valkenboskwartier districts, tracks and stops are being modified. Because the tram tracks are being replaced in several locations, this also creates an opportunity to redesign streets. This will lead to safer traffic conditions for cyclists and other road users, more greenery, and a more pleasant streetscape. Where possible, the work will be combined, for example, with sewer replacements. This will minimize costs and inconvenience for residents.
The route through the Bomen- en Bloemenbuurt neighborhood, Vogelwijk, and Duindorp will also receive a quality boost. Traffic safety on Goudenregenstraat will be improved with a new design and more space for cyclists. The modernization of line 12 will bring The Hague closer to a tram network that suits a growing city: reliable, accessible, and future-proof.
The modernization of line 12 brings The Hague closer to a tram network that suits a growing city: reliable, accessible and ready for the future.
Image : HTM | Chris Westerduin
Text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online
