Schiphol Busnet

Schiphol Busnet is the operating brand used by Connexxion for public bus services serving Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the town of Schiphol, and surrounding municipalities in North Holland. Its network links the airport with destinations including Aalsmeer, Amstelveen, Amsterdam, and Badhoevedorp, while also providing transport for airport employees and other passengers. The network originated in 2000 under the name Schiphol Sternet. It combined previously separate services: private employee transport serving the airport and selected regional public-transport routes connecting Schiphol with neighboring towns. At launch, the operation was a joint venture between Connexxion and Amsterdam's municipal transport operator GVB. On 11 December 2011, the routes operated by GVB were transferred to Connexxion, leaving Connexxion responsible for all Sternet services. The service operates as a conventional public-transport network, although airport security arrangements create some special operating conditions. Most routes use ordinary public roads and stops, while a short section in Schiphol-East passes through a secured area accessible only to people holding an appropriate Schiphol Pass. Within the airport area, passengers may board through any bus door rather than being required to use the driver's door, and accepted travel credentials include the Dutch OV-chipkaart together with certain airport- and employer-related passes such as the Schiphol Pass and KLM Pass. Routes generally operate seven days a week from early morning until approximately 01:00, with selected lines running during the night. The airport has extensive bus-only infrastructure, and the services are permitted to use motorway shoulder lanes in relevant locations. This infrastructure supports frequent connections for both airport workers and travelers, including employees who park at peripheral facilities such as P30 and P40 and continue to the airport by bus. Before the network's rebranding, buses were associated with the dark-red Schiphol Sternet identity and a yellow Sternet emblem. Connexxion operated low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses equipped with wide doors, a wheelchair entrance, passenger information screens, automated stop announcements, and the Infoxx onboard computer system. In December 2017, the network underwent a major fleet and brand change: the Sternet name was replaced by Schiphol Busnet, and the fleet was replaced with white VDL Citea electric articulated buses. The vehicles primarily display Connexxion and Schiphol branding rather than a prominent standalone Busnet logo. Schiphol Busnet is therefore best understood as a branded airport-area public-transport network rather than an independent bus manufacturer, transport company, or separate legal entity. Its identity is closely tied to Connexxion's regional bus operations and to Schiphol's wider airport mobility system.

Schiphol Busnet developed from the Schiphol Sternet network, which was launched in 2000 to organize bus transport around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the surrounding communities. The original network brought together two types of service: private bus transportation for Schiphol employees and selected regional public-transport routes connecting the airport with nearby municipalities. Its coverage included Schiphol and the airport complex itself, as well as Aalsmeer, Amstelveen, Amsterdam, and Badhoevedorp. At its inception, Sternet was operated as a joint venture between Connexxion and GVB, Amsterdam's municipal transport operator. The arrangement reflected the network's mixed role. It served ordinary regional passengers traveling to and from the airport, while also supporting the large workforce employed at Schiphol. Some routes incorporated or replaced earlier regional services; examples identified in the network's history include route 192 replacing route 68, route 195 replacing route 164, and route 199 replacing route 169. A major organizational change occurred on 11 December 2011, when the routes operated by GVB were handed over to Connexxion. Connexxion subsequently became the operator of all Sternet lines. The change consolidated responsibility for the airport-area bus network under one regional operator while retaining the network's public-transport function. The operating environment at Schiphol has distinctive security and access requirements. Most of the network functions like ordinary Dutch public transportation, but a short section through Schiphol-East lies within a secured zone. Passengers traveling through that area need an appropriate Schiphol Pass or other authorized access. The network also accommodates airport employees who leave their cars at peripheral parking areas and complete their journeys by bus. Within the airport area, passengers can board through any door, a practice that differs from the usual front-door boarding arrangement on many Dutch buses. Accepted credentials include the OV-chipkaart and certain airport or employer passes, including the Schiphol Pass and KLM Pass. The network's service pattern was designed around the airport's long operating day. Buses generally run every day from early morning until around 01:00, and a limited number of routes operate through the night. Schiphol's extensive bus lanes provide dedicated infrastructure, while the buses may also use motorway shoulder lanes in designated circumstances. Stops are supported by electronic displays showing expected bus arrivals. During the Sternet period, buses were identifiable by a dark-red livery and a yellow Sternet logo. Connexxion used low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses with three wide doors and a dedicated wheelchair entrance at the center door. Their equipment included Connexxion's Infoxx onboard computer, which supported automated stop announcements, passenger-information displays, OV-chipkaart fare calculations, and operational monitoring of schedule adherence. The most important later transition took place in December 2017. The Sternet name was replaced by Schiphol Busnet, and the complete bus fleet was replaced by white VDL Citea electric articulated vehicles. The new buses emphasized electric propulsion and high-capacity airport operations. The vehicles displayed Connexxion and Schiphol branding, with the Busnet name less visibly used on the buses themselves. Schiphol Busnet is consequently a service brand within Connexxion's public-transport activities rather than a separately incorporated transport company. Its history is defined by the integration of airport employee transport and regional public services, the consolidation of operations under Connexxion, and the transition from diesel buses and the Sternet identity to an electric Schiphol Busnet fleet.

• 2017

  Electric fleet and Busnet rebrand

  [1]Schiphol Busneten.wikipedia.org

  In December, the Schiphol Sternet name is replaced by Schiphol Busnet and the fleet is replaced with white VDL Citea electric articulated buses.

• 2011

  Connexxion assumes all Sternet routes

  [1]Schiphol Busneten.wikipedia.org

  On 11 December, routes previously operated by GVB are transferred to Connexxion, making Connexxion the operator of the complete Sternet network.

• 2000

  Schiphol Sternet launches

  [1]Schiphol Busneten.wikipedia.org

  The airport-area Sternet network begins operation as a joint venture between Connexxion and GVB, combining employee transport with regional public bus services.

An integrated airport and regional public-transport network focused on reliable connections between Schiphol Airport, airport employment areas, and surrounding municipalities.

• Airport and regional public transportation · 2000

  Schiphol Busnet scheduled services

  The core offering is a network of scheduled bus routes linking Schiphol Airport and the surrounding Schiphol area with Aalsmeer, Amstelveen, Amsterdam, and Badhoevedorp. The services support both travelers and airport employees, operate throughout the week, and include selected night routes. The network uses airport bus lanes and other priority infrastructure to support connections across the airport and neighboring municipalities.

• Electric bus fleet · 2017

  VDL Citea electric articulated buses

  Introduced across the network in December 2017, the white VDL Citea electric articulated buses replaced the earlier diesel fleet. The high-capacity vehicles were selected for intensive airport-area operations and provide low-floor boarding suitable for accessible public transport. Their exterior identity emphasizes Connexxion and Schiphol branding rather than a large standalone Schiphol Busnet logo.

• Former network brand · 2000

  Schiphol Sternet bus services

  Schiphol Sternet was the predecessor identity used for the airport bus network from its launch in 2000 until the December 2017 rebrand. Its fleet included low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses with wide doors, wheelchair access, passenger-information displays, automated announcements, and Connexxion's Infoxx operational system.

• 2017

  Replacement of the diesel fleet with electric articulated busesGeneration change

  Background

  The former Sternet network used Connexxion-operated low-floor Mercedes-Benz Citaro diesel buses.

  Action taken

  In December 2017, the buses were replaced with white VDL Citea electric articulated vehicles and the network was renamed Schiphol Busnet.

  Aftermath

  The network adopted a new operating identity and an electric high-capacity fleet for airport-area services.

  Source

• 2011

  Consolidation of Sternet operations under ConnexxionStrategy

  Background

  The Sternet network had originally been operated jointly by Connexxion and GVB, with the two companies handling different services.

  Action taken

  On 11 December 2011, GVB-operated routes were transferred to Connexxion, leaving Connexxion responsible for the complete network.

  Aftermath

  The network continued under a single operating company, while retaining its airport and regional public-transport role.

  Source

1. 1Schiphol Busneten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Connexxion Schiphol Busnetconnexxion.nl