Future-proofing Schiphol Airport’s multimodal transport hub – expanding access through seamless connectivity

Multimodal transport for enhanced accessibility

With daily commuting traffic averaging around 109,000 passengers, the Schiphol intermodal transport hub is a critical linchpin in the transport system for the Netherlands. With commuting traffic set to rise over the next decades, the current MHS (Multimodal Hub Schiphol) – which dates back to the 1990s - needs improvements and upgrades to meet the rising capacity of transit passengers in this corridor. 

Backed by an integrated team of public transport specialists and aviation experts, Benthem Crouwel NACO, was commissioned to unite seamless passenger transfers with improved efficiency and a user-centric design that enhances safety.

Working in close collaboration with The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer, Transport Region Amsterdam, Dutch Railways, ProRail and Schiphol, the goal is to futureproof the transit hub to ensure safety, improve accessibility and ultimately boost the travel experience. 

The challenge? We must do it all while maintaining 100% operational continuity throughout. 

Improving passenger flows – above and below ground   

With space constraints on all sides, our team has had to think outside the box to make the allocated space work more efficiently and prioritise the use of infrastructure in the most optimal way.

Whether it’s optimising passenger flows with improved sight lines and open space or creating better connections between the Plaza and the bus platform, the user-centric design seamlessly connects the ground level with the underground train station to unify and maximise use of space. 

New entrances and exits leading from the train station to bus platforms help ensure that passengers stay dry in wet weather conditions and reduce pedestrian crossings to ultimately improve the passenger experience. 

By adopting a user-centric design in the collaboration with all stakeholders, our team has been able to maximise the use of existing space and increase the lifecycle of the existing infrastructure for another decade. 

Future-proofing Schiphol’s multimodal connectivity

Thanks to our work, Schiphol Airport will be improving safety, creating more space for passengers, and ensuring travellers feel in control. 

Once the project is complete, more than 120,000 travellers will be able to travel via the Schiphol Multimodal Hub every day – comfortably and safely. 

The increased life expectancy of infrastructure proves that with great planning, collaboration and foresight, the Schiphol multimodal transit hub can serve as a destination in itself, whilst accommodating the peaks and troughs of dynamic traffic volumes, as well as future-proof this important gateway for the city. 

Looking further ahead, plans are currently being discussed with Schiphol Airport and local government to extend the metro line which will go one step further to shaping a responsible, sustainable mobility network in Amsterdam.