Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf
 |
|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Amsterdam |
| Transit type |
Tram Metro Ferry Bus |
| Annual ridership | 211 million |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1900 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf or GVB is the municipal public transport operator for Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, operating metro, tram, bus and ferry services in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area since 2012.
GVB became a private corporation wholly owned by the city of Amsterdam in 2007, and will continue to operate public transport services under a negotiated contract until 2024.
The forerunner of the GVB, the Gemeentetram Amsterdam (GTA) (Amsterdam Municipal Tramway), was established in 1900 by the city after it acquired a private tram company (AOM). In 1925, it introduced its first bus line. In 1943, the GVB acquired its current form when Gemeentetram merged with Gemeenteveren Amsterdam (established in 1897), the municipal ferry company, and got its name Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (municipal transport company). In 1977, it introduced its first metro line. In 1990, it introduced its first light rail line. In 2007 GVB was privatised and hence the full name was abolished.
The GVB operates a number of public transportation networks in and around the city of Amsterdam, including:
In addition, a new metro line, the North/South line, is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2018.
Since 2006 the responsible local authority for all public transport in the greater Amsterdam area is the City Region of Amsterdam / Stadsregio Amsterdam. In 2010 the SRA prolonged the concession (contract) of the GVB for the period 2012–2017. In accordance with the rules for public procurement in the European Union the SRA has to open a call for bids for the next period, which means that another company could be operating the public transport networks in Amsterdam after 2017.
Line 51 to Amstelveen runs metro service between Central Station and Station Zuid. At Station Zuid it switches from third rail to pantograph and catenary wires. From there to Amstelveen Centrum it shares its track with tram line 5. The light rail vehicles on this line are capable of using both 600 volt DC and 750 volt DC.
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