(Netherlands )LEIDEN

Images kindly supplied by RijnGouwelijn. (Thanks)
RGL works (1)	RGL works (2)	RGL works (3)
RGL works (4)

Leiden
Rijngouwelijn (RGL) is a modern transport system which will link Leiden to Gouda via Alphen (RGL east), with an extension Leiden-Katwijk-Noordwijk (RGL west) towards the coast; the first phase (RGL east) might be operating in 2010, followed by the rest of the track.
RGL east will mostly run along an existing railway (with sections in track-sharing with NS Dutch railways), while RGL west will adopt new infrastructures. Different options for the urban section in Leiden are considered: street-running through the city center (in tramway mode; but this option has been recently rejected -March 2007- by a public consultation), on existing railways tracks (in a peripherical route alignement) or in tunnel sections.
The system concept is to provide a reduction of the road congestion, giving an efficient alternative to the inhabitants who live in the suburban districts but who need to get to the city center for job, spare-time, school or shopping.
An experimental section (Leiden-Alphen), with tram-train joint use is operating since 2003.
www.rijngouwelijn.nl (official site)

CHRONOLOGY
2003	Gouda-Alphen (experimental phase)

Country	Netherlands
Line	Rijngowelijn (RGL)
Inhabitants	City 260.000 (Leiden+Alphen+Gouda)
Date opening	2015
Future development:	--
Length (km)	50
Track sections	30 km on railways tracks (Gouda-Leiden in track sharing), 20 km in road traffic (reserved lanes)
Stops	40, average distance 1250 m
Platforms	--
Platform doors	--;
General characteristics	height 30 cm
n. of vehicles	25
n. of cars per vehicle	--
Type	steel wheels bi-directional
Vehicle dimensions (m)	length 37 (75 in double configuration), width 2.65
Vehicle capacity (pax)	250 (80 seated)
Frequency	7.5'/15'
Current/Voltage	1500 V DC overhead (urban area)
Type of guide/gauge	standard gauge rails (1435 mm)
Speed Km/h	Max 100
Accel./Decel. (m/sec2)	1.2/1.0
System capacity	--
Ridership	15 million pax/year
Total cost	11 M Euro/km
Staff	--
System builder	BOMBARDIER
Model	A32 + S1000/Saartram
NOTE	intermediate phase: Gouda-Alphen (2010)