English
Public transport
Assen is directly connected to the Groningen-Zwolle rail line. There is a connection in both directions three times in every hour. Two of these trains stop at local stations and one is an intercity service.\
Assen is a meeting point for regional bus routes. The district busses connect the town with centres surrounding it. All regional routes connect with train services at the NS [National Railways] station. Some regional busses also have routes through Assen's shopping centre.
By Car
You can get to Assen by car by a variety of routes. There are three exits to Assen on the A28, the motorway between Groningen and Zwolle. You can reach the town from the direction of Veendam on motorway N33 and from the direction of Rolde on motorway N376. If you are coming from the direction of Smilde, you can drive into Assen on the N371.
Welcome to Assen and the Dutch TT!
The TT attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. To ensure a safe and pleasant TT festival the municipality, police and fire brigade have taken a number of stringent precautions.
Previous measures have already significantly improved safety on the race track, the town centre and on the camping site. Due to dangerous situations, the TT circuit nearly lost its World Championship license in 2002. This was prevented with your cooperation for which we like to express our gratitude!
This year too we need your help! Please adhere to the regulations and Enjoy again! We wish you a very pleasant TT!
Origin of the name 'Assen'
The meaning of the name 'Assen' is not entirely clear. The most likely answer is that it has to do with essen or ash trees. However, a connection has also been made with the Frisian man's name 'Hasse'. Less likely is that the name derives from the Old Saxon asna, which meant tenancy or loan, or adna, which meant axe. Comfortable, accessible and vibrant. These are Assen's most important attributes.Because of its central location, Assen has been designated in the Fifth National Policy Document on Spatial Planning as one of the two cornerstones in the Groningen-Assen urban network. As a result of this, the town has a steering function in developing the economy, infrastructure and the residential and environmental climate in the area. Assen now serves some 200,000 people from the region. They work, shop or spend time in recreation in Drenthe's provincial capital. The shopping centre is particularly in vogue. This is no surprise as the town centre is compact, well provided for and is among the most accessible town centres in the Netherlands.
Growth
Growth is in the ascendant. Assen is the fastest growing centre in the north of the Netherlands. Population is increasing by some 1,000 residents each year. Records currently show a figure around the 60,000 mark. The number of jobs has passed 30,000 and is anticipated to grow to 40,000 over the next ten years. This rapid growth means that space needs to be found to cater for it: for new businesses, for a varied supply of housing and for an expansion of urban facilities. Moreover, the town must remain easily accessible.