Amsterdam’s tram network will be overhauled and some routes will disappear or change altogether when the new Noord/Zuid metro comes into service in 2018, the Parool said on Thursday.

The city’s transport company GVB says the metro will carry some two-thirds of all public transport passengers, while the tram’s share of the total will halve.

For example, there will be fewer trams using the Vijzelstraat and Leidsestraat and they will disappear from the De Lairessestraat altogether. Tram 5 to Amstelveen will be re-routed from the main railway station to Westerpark.

The GVB says 80% of passengers will be at their destination more quickly because of the changes, while just 4% will have to switch services more often while en route.

This summer, officials said the metro will open in July 2018, nine months later than the most recent projection.

Although the original budget for the metro was €1.4bn, the final cost is likely to be €3.1bn. Work started in 2002, and was due to end in 2011.