Introduction to transport Netherlands

Your choices for public transport in Rotterdam are Trams, Metro (underground), Trains (overland outside to other regions), Bus, Taxi and Bicycle. Although you will note that Rotterdam city and environs are crawling with mobility scooters also. Below is a general description of how to use these services and the types of ticketing involved.

'Traphic' - Live traffic information

You can now view live traffic information via a network of webcams around the city and country. The website gives you an interactive map of the Netherlands rail network and shows up to the minute picture of where delays are. Log on to www.traphic.nl.



Ticketing

In January 2007, a new chip-card system was phased into the whole Rotterdam transport network - the "OV chipkaart". "Strippenkarts" are being phased out in favour of the new system across the Netherlands. The OV chipkaart is credit card size and uses same system as the bank-card "chipknip", where you load money onto the chip from your bank account to pay for tram, bus and metro services.

There are two types of passes, a one trip or temporary pass, where the travel is for the face value of the card (ie. €2) or a re-loadable card, where you can load money from your bank account. The latter passes are available as a pass with photo or anonymous (without photo). The photo ID pass will cost an extra €7.50.

Operation is simple, just swipe the card in front of the reader and the golden doors will open.
See the Connexxion website for more information http://www.connexxion.nl


Metro

The metro is the Nederlands underground transport system but is limited to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. It is clean and reliable service to use and links with the intercity train network. The metro entrances are indicated by RET signs with large yellow M logo above all metro station entrances. The current metro system runs with two main lines, one north-south and the other east-west (including two light rail branches) and runs from 5.30am to midnight.
All three branches of the Calandlijn operate every 10 minutes which allows a 3-4 minute interval along the main section. The Erasmuslijn offers trains every 5 minutes between Centraal Station and Slinge and every 10 minutes to De Akkers. The service is more frequent service during rush hours.


Trains

Trains are run by the national Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). Trains run between all major Dutch towns and cities. You must purchase your ticket before boarding the train, a conductor will check your ticket once on the train. You will find ticket machines that take chip and pin cards at the station platforms. This train will take you from Central Station right to Schipoll airport, with a change at Leiden.


Tram

You will find tramlinks all over Rotterdam and where they don't travel, buses will. You can insert your ticket in the machine as you get on the tram if you have strippenkart or if not, there will be a conductor to buy a ticket from.

Caution: If you are driving, trams have right of way at every occasion and will take it. At intersections they have their own sets of lights, in all other instances, let the tram go first.


Bus

The city is laced with a large network of bus routes.

Caution: As with trams, buses have automatic right of way and will use it on all occasions. This is their legal right, always let the bus go first no matter where you are in the overtaking process. The bus does not have to wait for traffic to clear or safe entry into traffic, it can pull in front of you with little or no warning or crowd you in. They are legally protected and entitled to do so.

Nerve-wracking but there is no good outcome in this scenario if you take one on; be warned!



Taxi

Official taxis have a blue number-plate and often won't accept short fares. For local companies check the Goudengids under "Taxibedrijf". The main company in Rotterdam is Rotterdamse Taxi Centrale.

Despite international trends, taxi's are not a common form of transport and are expensive here. There are only a few taxi ranks around the city and it is quite normal not to see a taxi waiting. It is forbidden to flag a taxi down if you see one driving along, you are required to go to either a taxi rank (if you can find one), or call and book one. However, some drivers will overlook this rule.


Bicycle

Cycling is a national past-time and thanks to the unrelenting flatness of the country, the locals find it the perfect way to get around. Cycle lanes are well maintained (often better than pavements/sidewalks) and generally have their own lane (in addition to tram, car and only in some instances, pavements), and cycle racks are abundant.

Caution for drivers: At intersections, cyclists have their own sets of lights to obey, they do sometimes try to test this particular rule. Outside of this situation, and if not on triangles, they have automatic right of way and will take it. Cyclists do tend to take a lot of liberties and will often ride three abreast (two or more) when there are no cycle lanes apparent and even when there are. You will have to wait behind them until it is safe to pass as they will not move aside. Sometimes tooting gives a positive result but not often.

Cyclists are not obliged to follow road rules of other traffic and you will find them cycling down one way streets in the opposite direction (they may expect you to pull over and let them through). Be careful when crossing pedestrian crossings, cars and other traffic (except trams) will stop for you but cyclists won't. In most cases, you will need to stop and wait for them to pass/ride around you.