Eurostar services to Amsterdam assured despite station revamp

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Eurostar’s direct train services to London will not end in 2024 when major work starts on revamping Amsterdam’s central station, as feared earlier, because an alternative location has been found for passport and security checks.

Junior infrastructure minister Vivianne Heijnen told MPs in June that the revamp meant there would be no room for Eurostar’s dedicated platform, which includes a lounge with security and passport controls – a situation, which she said was ‘unacceptable’.

But rail company NS and track operator ProRail have now agreed that passengers for London can use one of the tunnels under the station instead, the Parool reported on Friday.

The Amstel passage, the most easterly of the three direct walkways through the station, will be transformed into a special departure hall – which will also allow the number of passengers to be increased from 250 to 600.

In the long term, the aim is to move Eurostar services and other international train traffic from the main city centre station to Station Zuid, in the Zuidas business district, which is also being expanded.

Eurostar currently offers four direct services a day to London. The journey takes just over four hours.

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