On 31 August 2026, Amsterdam tram route 26 was extended by almost two kilometres in the IJburg district, from Centrumeiland to Strandeiland. The extension had originally been due to open in June, but was postponed several times due to problems with the power supply.
The new section has three stops: Centrumeiland, Buiteneilandlaan and Franz-Kafka-Straat. The latter is the terminus, featuring a three-track turning loop. Most of the new route runs through undeveloped land; at the terminus, there are not even any roads or paths yet.
IJburg is a new district in the east of Amsterdam, built and still being developed on several artificial islands. Tram route 26 (Central Station – IJburg) began operating in May 2005, when the first three islands were being developed. Construction of residential buildings on Strandeiland is now getting under way. In a few years, Buiteneiland will be developed as the final island; route 26 is expected to be extended there around 2035.
Route 26 runs approximately eight times an hour. It is the only Amsterdam tram route on which trams – in this case Combinos – operate in coupled pairs. This was also the case on route 25 to Uithoorn, but since its extension into the city, single CAF trams have been used there.
