No trains will run to, from, or via Rotterdam Centraal on the weekend of November 7 to 8, as ProRail renews the rail safety system.
According to ProRail, the shutdown will last from 1 AM on Sunday, November 7, to 5 AM on Monday, November 9.
To bridge the gap, the NS will roll out replacement buses and metros, but they warn that travellers should expect heavy crowds and budget for extra travel time.
Which routes are affected?
On the regular rail network, no trains will run between Rotterdam Centraal and Delft Campus, Gouda, or Zwijndrecht.
The HSL (high-speed line) is also out of action between Rotterdam Centraal and Breda, and between Rotterdam Centraal and Schiphol Airport.
Here’s how to get around with no trains
The silver lining is that NS tickets work on large parts of the Rotterdam metro system, as well as on the replacement buses the NS is rolling out.
With a valid ticket, you’ll be able to use the following metro lines instead:
- A, B, and C between Schiedam Centrum and Rotterdam Alexander, and
- D and E between Rotterdam Centraal and Slinge.
And hop aboard the following replacement buses between:
- Rodenrijs metro station and Zoetermeer Lansingerland,
- Rotterdam Alexander and Rotterdam Noord,
- Rotterdam Alexander and Gouda,
- Capelsebrug metro station and Gouda,
- Capelsebrug metro station and Dordrecht,
- Capelsebrug metro station and Zwijndrecht,
- Slinge metro station and Zwijndrecht,
- Rotterdam Blaak metro station and Rotterdam Zuid, and
- Schiedam Centrum and Delft Campus.
The NS recommends checking your route in the NS app or their Reisplanner (online journey planner) before you set off.
Expect another shutdown at the end of November
As work on the new safety system is being carried out in phases, ProRail still has a few loose ends to wrap up in IJsselmonde.
Work there is scheduled from Saturday, November 29 to Monday, December 7, and no trains will run between Rotterdam Zuid and Barendrecht during this period.
The NS will run replacement buses to cover the stretch, so be prepared for crowds and extra travel time if you’ll need to make the switch.
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