Starting on Tuesday the 16th of October, there will be no trains operating on the rail lines between Groningen and Leeuwarden until the 29th.
Translation by Traci White
The two-week-long closure will be used to carry out upgrades on the section of track between the two cities to prepare for an additional express train service. The timing of the renovations was likely chosen to coincide with the autumn break for schools in the north, which will start on the 20th of October and end on the 28th.
Longer commute
The Leeuwarder Courant writes that travellers should account for up to half an hour longer commutes during the rail works period. Passengers should not check out when switching from the trains to the buses, but should only check out at their final destination like normal. While carrying a bike onto the train is normally permitted, travellers cannot bring their bikes onto the buses.
Dagblad van het Noorden reports that the trains will travel between Leeuwarden and Buitenpost, but travellers will have to switch to rail replacement buses in Buitenpost to travel the rest of the way to Groningen. The buses, which should be clearly indicated at the station, will not serve all of the stops that the train normally stops at between Buitenpost and Groningen.
Zernike Campus
In an effort to accommodate students traveling from Leeuwarden to the Zernike campus of the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, there will be direct bus service between Buitenpost and the campus from 7:20 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.
Train service on the Groningen – Eemshaven line and the Groningen – Delfzijl line will also stop for the coming weeks starting on the 16th. Normal service should resume on all rail lines on the 29th of October.
