The Hotstepper's Blog

After years of construction the new metro station is open in Rotterdam Central Station. The newplatform is a respite for travellers. High ceilings, white walls and a lot of bright and even colourful lights give the platforms a fresh and modern appearance. This in combination with the fact that the platforms and stairs are wide, gives the travellers a sense of freedom that can not be equaled in many of the older metro stations. I have not met anyone who is not happy with it.

Rotterdam Central Station is the home of the Erasmus line. This is Rotterdam’s oldest subway line, which was opened on February 9, 1968 by Princess Beatrix and her husband Prince Claus. It is also called the North-South line. At the opening in 1968 it was one of the world’s shortest subway lines: only 5.9 kilometers between Rotterdam Centraal and shopping center Zuidplein on the left bank. In 2007 the Erasmus RandstadRail Line service on the route Hofplein – Den Haag Centraal became operational. An extension to Rotterdam Centraal is planned to be operational in 2010.

The total network length of the Rotterdam metro lines (excluding RandstadRail) is 55.3 kilometers, of which 15.3 kilometers run underground and 8.5 kilometers is implemented as light rail. The operation is performed by the RET.