New Delft station opens its doors

Delft station has long been in need of an upgrade, the original building and tracks being insufficient for the large amount of train travel in the area. The new underground station with four platforms aims to reduce the bottle-neck effect around Delft, and is now able to process 39,000 travellers a day. “We are very pleased with the new train station, it is up to date, offers lots of room to move around,” an NS spokesperson told Delta. “In the future we can offer more transport and we can expand the number of trains in our timetable.”

Aesthetically the station building, which is now integrated with the city’s municipal offices, presents itself a synthesis of modernity and traditional Delft identity. Old and new glass meet each other on building’s exterior, while the columns and walls are covered with hand crafted Delft Blue mosaics while an 1877 map of delft decorates the impressive ceiling of the station, spanning 30m.

The distinctly ‘Delft’ identity of the station and its increased capacity are marked improvements, and the upgraded building also offers an integrated bike storage area which can fit up to 5,000 bikes, particularly advantageous for students and professionals commuting to and from Delft. According to Huub Veeneman from ProRail, the company responsible for the station’s construction, “There is much more space for students, they can now stay at the station for example when there are timetable changes. The station is more comfortable, and there are even cafes, such as a Starbucks.” In addition to these new amenities the hope that in the future trains will be able to move through the station more quickly, and regularly will definitely be a plus for students and commuters who are prone to running a little late in the mornings.

The Spoorzone Delft construction has been one of the largest in Delft costing around one billion euros, and although the station is finished and functional construction in the Railway Zone area will continue for several years.