| Native name | Metrolijn 53 / Gaasperplaslijn |
|---|---|
| Locale | Amsterdam and Diemen |
| Start | Amsterdam Centraal |
| End | Gaasperplas |
| Stations | 14 |
| Daily ridership | 60,000 (2019) |
| Open | 16 October 1977 |
| Owner | Amsterdam Metro |
| Operator | GVB |
| Stock | |
| Linelength | 11.7 km (7.3 mi) |
| Tracks | Double-track |
| Speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
Line 53 (Dutch: Metrolijn 53), also known as the Gaasperplas Line (Dutch: Gaasperplaslijn), is a line of the Amsterdam Metro system. It runs between Amsterdam Centraal in the city center and Gaasperplas metro station in the southeastern neighborhood of Bijlmermeer, a modernist planned community built around the metro line.[1] The line forms the eastern branch of the Oostlijn (East Line).
The initial segment of the line, between Weesperplein and Gaasperplas, opened on 14 October 1977, replacing the former bus line 56. An extension to Amsterdam Centraal was completed on 11 October 1980.[2]
Line 53 is 11.7 kilometres (7.3 mi) and includes 14 stations. It runs underground through central Amsterdam, emerging to the surface as it travels alongside NS railway lines. After Duivendrecht, the line diverges onto its own dedicated, largely elevated right-of-way through Amsterdam-Zuidoost.
In its early years, several stations such as Venserpolder and Diemen Zuid were located in undeveloped areas, resulting in minimal passenger use at the time.
Until 2013, the line was primarily operated using M1, M2, and M3 rolling stock, which were built between 1973 and 1980 specifically for the Oostlijn. These units were gradually phased out and replaced by the M5 series between 2013 and 2015. The M7 series later entered service beginning in 2023.
Service
| Time period | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Rush hour and daytime | 10 minutes |
| Early morning (before 07:00), evenings (after 20:00), and weekends (before 10:00) | 15 minutes |
| Evenings (until 20:00) and weekends (after 10:00) | 12 minutes |
| Midsummer rush hour and daytime | 12 minutes |
| Midsummer early morning, evenings, and weekends | 15 minutes |
Station list
Derailments
On Wednesday, April 20, 1983, the last car of a 3 car train derailed next to the Centraal Station. Getting the train back on the rails was a lengthy job due to the limited space inside the tunnel. As a result, Metro traffic between the Centraal Station and Nieuwmarkt was halted for 3 days.[3]
On Monday April 7, 2008 another train derailed in the same area, resulting in the halting of metro traffic on this section for 2 days.[4] Metro service was resumed on Wednesday April 9 at 12:00.[5]
References
- ^ "GVB"
- ^ "UrbanRail.Net > Europe > Netherlands > Amsterdam Metro"
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113507/http://www.fnvov.nl/ovforum/index.php?action=printpage%3Btopic%3D25563.0
- ^ "Nu.nl/Algemeen | Geen metroverkeer in Amsterdam na ontsporing". Archived 2008-04-08 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Nu.nl/Algemeen | Metro rond Amsterdam CS rijdt weer". Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine.