Groningen Central Station Renovation Delayed Again
Staff shortages and extra repairs extend train-free period, frustrating province and passengers
The renovation of Groningen Central Station has once again been delayed, with the train-free period extending beyond the planned 51 days. Rail infrastructure manager ProRail announced that ongoing staff shortages, unforeseen complexities in restoring the historic platform roofs, and additional work at the Esperanto tunnel have contributed to the setbacks.
Why Is the Project Delayed?
The train-free period, originally scheduled from 17 May to 7 July, was intended to facilitate major track connections that would allow trains from Friesland to continue to Europapark station. However, various factors have resulted in delays: A shortage of technicians has hindered progress. The renovation of the historic platform roofs is proving to be more complex than anticipated. Additional repairs at the Esperanto tunnel have become necessary following previous issues with sand washing away near the tracks.
These works were initially planned for 2023 but have been postponed to 2024. Now, ProRail cannot confirm the new completion date, creating uncertainty for passengers and transport operators.
Province Frustrated, Refuses to Pay for Delays
The province of Groningen has expressed frustration over yet another setback. Provincial administrator Johan Hamster (Christian Union) criticised the delays, saying:
"This is not what we want. We need the station to reopen on time and avoid additional inconvenience for passengers."
Despite the frustration, Hamster emphasised that the province will not cover any additional costs, as it is not responsible for the delays.
Uncertainty for Passengers
ProRail is in discussions with NS and Arriva to extend replacement bus services, but it remains unclear whether this will be feasible for an extended period. Passengers may face further travel disruptions, with no clear timeline yet for when regular train service will resume.
ProRail expects to provide more clarity on the revised train-free period soon.