New Timetable Starts: More Frequent, Faster, and Better Bus Service

Starting Sunday, December 14, the new bus concession begins. This agreement ensures that the Municipality of Amersfoort, U-OV, and the Province of Utrecht improve bus transport in and around Amersfoort. Mobility Alderman Tyas Bijlholt: Amersfoort residents can now travel by bus more frequently, faster, and better. The new buses also reduce emissions as the majority are electric. This new timetable contributes to a livable and accessible city.

There are various improvements in bus travel options. From December 14, the timetable will be significantly expanded on many lines. On the busiest lines, up to 35% more buses will run, especially during rush hour, evenings, and weekends. New and faster connections are introduced: U-link (fast and frequent) and U-liner (comfortable for longer distances). A large part of the buses will now run electrically. Additionally, 17 new bus stops have been put into use, and most bus stops have been made accessible with higher platforms and guidance lines for travelers with disabilities.

Operator Keolis will operate under the brand name U-OV, as has been done in the Utrecht region in recent years. This brand has now been expanded, so travelers across the entire province board buses with the same appearance. Customer service and fares are now also managed under one U-OV across the province. The new timetable has a duration of 10 years.

U-link and U-liner

New in Amersfoort is that U-OV will operate U-link and U-liner buses. U-link buses are lines that run frequently throughout the day. This allows travelers from Nieuwland, Vathorst, Leusden, and Soest to travel earlier, later, and more often towards Amersfoort Central Station. In Amersfoort and the region, lines 2, 3, 15, 17, and 70 run as U-link. The U-link lines start running around 5:00 AM, with the last trip around 1:00 AM. Moreover, many lines run every fifteen minutes until late in the evening, resulting in shorter waiting times.

U-liner is the comfortable and fast bus from Amersfoort to Utrecht Science Park, Veenendaal, and Bunschoten. Together with the Province of Utrecht and Keolis, we aim to strengthen the connection routes where U-link and U-liner operate in the coming years. We want to offer public transport with BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) quality on these routes.

Route Changes

Besides increased frequency, some routes will also change:

Line 1 gets a new route via Amsterdamseweg instead of Brabantsestraat. A new stop has been added at Industrieweg.
Line 4 will continue from Kattenbroek to Schothorst station, allowing travelers to reach an NS station faster. Six new stops have been built or reopened for this.
Line 10 will also stop at stops in De Berg-Noord, enabling more frequent travel to and from Amersfoort Central.
Lines 15, 315, and 101 stop at the new Rustenburg-Oost stop, allowing travelers to and from De Wieken and Rustenburg to travel quickly between Nijkerk, Vathorst, Amersfoort Central, and USP.
Line 203 will run via Randenbroek and Vermeerkwartier. This route is faster and serves many new travelers. Three stops will be built and others extended in the coming months. A bus shelter will also be added at the new stops.

Electric Buses

From December 14, approximately 67% of all trips in Amersfoort and surroundings will be made with a new electric bus. By 2028, the remaining 33% of buses will be replaced, resulting in 100% electric buses. The buses are comfortable, quiet, and extra accessible. On some lines, longer buses will run to provide more seats.

Encouraging Public Transport Use

Amersfoort is a pleasant city to live, work, shop, and relax. Due to population and housing growth, this is under pressure. To keep Amersfoort accessible, livable, and climate-resilient in the future, mobility and available space must be managed differently. Therefore, the Municipality of Amersfoort promotes walking, cycling, public transport, and shared mobility as alternatives to private cars.