The building with a total area of 46 thousand m2 receives trains from the national network NS, the European high-speed network and the RandstadRail - a light rail system connecting Rotterdam, The Hague and neighboring cities. Now the station receives 110 thousand passengers daily - the same as Schiphol Airport, which is 20 minutes away by train. However, with the development of Dutch and European railways by 2025, 323 thousand people will use the city's central terminal per day.
A significant part of the roof is glazed (in particular, transparent ceilings with a length of 250 m are arranged above the platforms), and 10,000 m2 of its area is covered with 130,000 almost transparent solar panels generating 320 megawatts / year: this is enough to fully provide 100 apartments with electricity. Most of the batteries are installed in the most illuminated areas, where the shadows of neighboring skyscrapers do not fall.
The transparency and abundance of sunlight not only create a pleasant atmosphere in the terminal, but also facilitate orientation - including on the lower platforms, which are illuminated by light wells.
The excellent visibility of the building and a well-thought-out plan of all key spaces, primarily the lobby and the waiting room with wood-paneled ceilings, also help passengers navigate the route through the building.
The main entrance of the station is located from the south and is marked by an energetic cantilever extension. In the square in front of it, travelers can conveniently switch to public transport or head to the nearby business center of Rotterdam with its high-rise buildings. There is a parking lot for 750 cars and 5,200 bicycles under the station square.
From the north, there is the second most important entrance leading to the Provenierswijk district with buildings from the 19th century: from this side, the station looks much more modest, adjusting to the scale of the environment.
The old train station, now demolished in 1957 by the architect Siebold van Ravestein, has left its mark on the new building: the Speculaasjes are installed inside - two abstract granite sculptures from there, and on the facade - the old CENTRAAL STATION sign and clock.
In the lobby of the station, a huge LED screen measuring 40 mx 4.5 m is fixed on the ceilings: this is a gift to the city from the Port of Rotterdam. Now the port has almost disappeared from the urban landscape, as the main activity there unfolds further and further from the coast, but thanks to its views projected on the screen, all travelers arriving in Rotterdam immediately understand that the largest port in Europe is nearby.
