Oct 12, 2020
More open, brighter, friendlier: Deutsche Bahn is modernizing the main station in Frankfurt
It starts! The square in front of the main train station, the reception hall and the underground passage will be given a new face
The modernization of Frankfurt Central Station begins. Travelers and visitors can look forward to a more open and brighter train station. The shopping and gastronomy area will also be redesigned. Deutsche Bahn, the federal government, the city and the Frankfurt transport company are investing around 375 million euros in the renovation. First and foremost, the basement benefits from this. Work will start on this so-called B level and should be completed there by 2024.
The starting shot for the modernization will be given today by Ronald Pofalla, Board Member for Infrastructure at DB AG, Tarek Al-Wazir, Hessian Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport and Housing, Peter Feldmann, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main, and Knut Ringat, Managing Director of the Rhine Main transport association.
Ronald Pofalla, Board Member for Infrastructure at Deutsche Bahn, says: “Frankfurt Central Station is not only a symbol of the metropolis, it is also one of the largest mobility hubs in Germany. The daily 500,000 travelers and visitors should feel comfortable here. Together with our partners, we are taking 375 million euros into our hands and giving the station a new shine. With the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof master plan, we are implementing a modern overall concept: We ensure an open design, inviting lighting and a completely new shopping and catering area. In this way, the train station should become a modern, attractive figurehead for Frankfurt again. “
Tarek Al-Wazir, Hessian Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport and Housing emphasizes: “The renovation of Frankfurt Central Station is an investment in more comfortable boarding and alighting and a pleasant stay for travelers. This makes the train even more attractive as a climate-friendly means of transport. For the coming years, however, rail travelers will need a little more patience, that’s the way it is with large construction sites. Together with Deutsche Bahn, we as the State of Hesse are continuing to work on the rail expansion in parallel, so that not only the arrival, stay and departure in Frankfurt are pleasant, but also more capacities and an even better offer is created for everyone who is environmentally friendly and convenient to or via Frankfurt travel or commute to work. The State of Hesse is funding the modernization and, in particular, the barrier-free expansion of Frankfurt Central Station with a total of around 12 million euros. Most of the measures have already been implemented. “
Peter Feldmann, Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt, says: “Our Frankfurt Central Station is facing one of the biggest structural changes since it opened in 1888. As the Lord Mayor of our hometown, I am very pleased that this central gateway to Frankfurt is not only technically, but also is optically adapted to the needs of the 21st century. Of course, despite all modernization, the historic silhouette of this building must not be lost. Because our main train station, which is used by more than half a million people every day, is a flagship of the city throughout Germany, like the Main and Skyline. But Frankfurt has always been and will always be a city of change. It is therefore only logical that the face of the main station should also change. “
Knut Ringat, Managing Director of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund, emphasizes: “The Frankfurt Central Station is without a doubt the main hub of the network. Nowhere do more people get on the RMV’s means of transport and every time the timetable changes, our passengers want one thing above all: even more fast direct connections here. With the renovation of the B-level, our most important hub will soon shine in a contemporary guise and make it an attractive calling card for local public transport. ”
