First mooted in 1988, the RandstadRail light rail system was to be the answer to traffic jams in the Rotterdam, The Hague and Zoetermeer area. Work finally began on the project in 2002 after years of debate over its route and financing. The cost was put at nearly €1bn. In October 2006, it was decided to open just one of the three routes – from Monstersestraat in The Hague to Zoetermeer. The first derailment took place five days later.