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Works between Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven

The Gouwespoorbrug near Alphen aan den Rijn will be replaced. This work will take place from 12 October 2026 to 13 July 2027. The NS travel planner will be updated three weeks before the line is taken out of service. This helps you to be prepared and travel with peace of mind.

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Works on the Gouwespoorbrug at Alphen aan den Rijn

The Gouwespoorbrug at Alphen aan den Rijn has reached the end of its life. ProRail will replace this swing bridge from 12 October 2026 to 13 July 2027. After the works the Gouwespoorbrug will be less prone to faults and ready for decades more train and waterway traffic.

No trains for nine months between Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven

Between Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven we will run replacement bus services. In some cases you can also travel by train via an alternative route. Below you will find the travel options with an indication of the additional travel time.

  • Are you travelling between Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven?
    Please use the replacement bus services. The additional travel time is about 15 minutes. The bus services are timed to match the train service as closely as possible so transfers run as smoothly as they can.

  • Are you travelling between Leiden Centraal and Utrecht Centraal?
    Travel via Amsterdam Zuid and Schiphol Airport. The additional travel time is about 10 minutes.

We realise this is an unusually long period during which travellers will experience disruption and should allow for extra changes and longer travel time. We are doing everything we can to limit the disruption during the works.

Additional measures

  • More trains and better connections
    During the works the train between Leiden Centraal and Alphen aan den Rijn will run from Monday to Friday in off-peak hours four times an hour instead of twice an hour. This provides a better connection to the Alphen aan den Rijn - Gouda train service (TAG) and improves the transfer between bus and train in Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven.
  • More OV-fietsen
    We are temporarily increasing the number of OV-fietsen at Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven stations. Travellers who use an OV-fiets between Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven (and vice versa) during the works will not pay extra to return the bike at the other station.
  • Change on the same platform
    The change between the train on the Alphen aan den Rijn - Gouda route and the train on the Alphen aan den Rijn - Leiden Centraal route will, as much as possible, take place on the same platform so you can change easily.
  • Deployment of accessible OV bus
    During the works we will operate buses. To make services accessible for as many people as possible, in addition to the regular coaches there will be an accessible bus every hour. These have a low floor and are wheelchair accessible.

From Alphen aan den Rijn to Bodegraven return by the wheelchair-accessible bus: at Bodegraven station independent boarding and alighting is possible (the platform is at the correct height). Travellers with reduced mobility can continue independently on the Sprinter to Utrecht.

From Alphen a/d Rijn towards Utrecht return: travel via Gouda. Travellers using a mobility aid can travel independently from Alphen aan den Rijn to Gouda (you may of course also choose to request NS Reisassistentie). For the onward journey please use NS Reisassistentie.

  • Dott e-bikes
    At Alphen aan den Rijn and Bodegraven stations there are ten Dott e-bikes available to cycle between the two stations. The quickest route is signposted. In Alphen aan den Rijn the e-bikes are in the passenger tunnel and in Bodegraven in the bicycle storage. These can also be rented via the NS app. The cost is € 1 start-up fee and € 0,15 per minute.
  • No bicycles during peak hours in the R-net Sprinter
    During the works no bicycles are allowed in the R-net Sprinter between Alphen aan den Rijn and Gouda during peak hours. This measure applies on weekdays from 06:30 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30 because busyness is expected.
  • Earn points via the Reiswijs-app
    Make conscious travel choices during the works and earn points for vouchers via the Reiswijs-app. For example by cycling, using replacement bus services, carpooling or working from home.

The additional measures may be expanded further. Please keep an eye on this page for the latest information.

Note: on 18 and 19 October there are also works between (Bodegraven)-Woerden-Breukelen

Sunday 18 October
ProRail is improving the track around Woerden. As a result no trains will run between Woerden and Breukelen. Only Intercity services will run between Woerden and Utrecht Centraal.

Monday 19 October
ProRail is improving the track between Bodegraven and Woerden. As a result no trains will run between Bodegraven and Woerden and between Woerden and Breukelen. Only Intercity services will run between Woerden and Utrecht Centraal.

Travellers between Woerden and Breukelen can travel by train via Utrecht Centraal. We will operate a stop bus between Woerden and Utrecht Centraal. On Monday 19 October there will also be a stop bus between Bodegraven and Woerden.

Plan your journey in the NS app

Plan your journey at short notice from door to door in the NS app or via the Reisplanner. That way you always have the most up-to-date travel advice.

In the NS app you can:

  • receive notifications about your journey
  • see an estimate of how busy a train is

Frequently asked questions about engineering work

Can I claim a refund for a delay?

For planned engineering work we adjust the journey time in the Journey Planner. You may therefore have a longer travel time than usual. Because this is planned engineering work, you will not receive a refund if this causes you to arrive later at your destination. You can of course claim a refund if your train is at least 30 minutes delayed compared with the timetable in the Journey Planner.

Do I get a discount because I have a season ticket and cannot travel on my route?

No. Because this involves planned engineering work, we do not offer a discount. We provide replacement transport (for example NS buses) or an alternative route.

Can I travel for free on an NS bus?

No. You still need a valid ticket when using replacement transport. If you travel partly by NS bus, you will not pay more for your overall journey.

How does check in and check out work on the NS bus?

Are you travelling by NS bus?

Check out at the station where you leave the train and change to the bus. There is a temporary check in and check out terminal by the bus. Check in there again and check out at the bus stop at your destination.

Are you then continuing your journey by train?

Then check in again at the station where you board the train.

Do you have reduced mobility?

Please note the following:

  • a high step to board the bus
  • longer walking distances to and from the bus
  • that you may have to stand for longer while waiting for the bus

Are you travelling with a wheelchair or other mobility aid and we are using buses?

Call NS Reisassistentie on 030 235 7822 or chat with NS Customer Service for a tailored solution.

Do you have a visual impairment and need assistance?

We will help you to or from the replacement transport. Call NS Reisassistentie on 030 235 7822 or chat with NS Customer Service.

Do I pay extra if I have to take a diversion?
  • If you check in and out at the same stations as normal, you do not pay anything extra.
  • Do you have to divert via another operator? If we advise that, you do not need to check in or out there. Your NS ticket will be valid.
  • If you travel by NS bus, you also do not pay more than normal. You must check out at the train and check in and out again at the bus.
  • If there is more than 35 minutes between checking out and checking in, you may pay more because this is seen as a new journey.
  • If you have paid too much, view the questionnaire to see if you are eligible for a refund.

Can I take my bicycle on an NS bus?

No, there is unfortunately no space for bicycles on the NS bus.

Are you travelling with other public transport or another train operator?

If we advise you to divert via another operator during engineering work, your NS ticket is usually valid with that operator. You check in and out with that operator and do not pay anything extra, as long as you follow the instructions.

For example: are you travelling by metro? You use your NS ticket, but you must check in and out with the metro and with NS at your departure and arrival stations.

See all frequently asked questions about engineering work.