Public transport changes impact Groningen and Drenthe regions

Public transport services in the Groningen and Drenthe regions are undergoing significant changes. In Veendam, the direct bus connection to Zuidbroek was discontinued on June 28. Passengers must now transfer in Muntendam, where the frequency of buses between Muntendam and Veendam has been halved from two to one bus per hour. The OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe cited low ridership as the reason for the change, noting averages of 33 and 25 passengers per day on the respective segments.

Meanwhile, infrastructure improvements on the N34 near Gieten are set to take effect on September 18. A new bus lane on the north side of the Gieten traffic junction will allow buses traveling between Groningen and Gieten to bypass traffic congestion, aiming to improve schedule reliability. Additionally, safety measures on the N34 between De Punt and Gieten, including a widened green median and double rib marking, have been implemented. Further works are planned for later this year to add more bus lanes south of the junction for routes from Stadskanaal and Emmen.