New bus station in Altona: The future of the train station is in the balance!

New bus station in Altona: The future of the train station is in the balance!

Major changes are coming to Hamburg that will have a lasting impact on traffic and mobility in the metropolitan region. Hamburg-Altona train station, which has so far played a central role in long-distance transport, will be redesigned in the coming years. From 2027, long-distance traffic will no longer stop in Altona, but will instead find its place at Diebsteich in the future. This not only means a move for long-distance trains, but also a profound redesign of the Altona train station.

A newly published feasibility study, which can be found on the Hamburg transparency portal, includes seven different designs for the redesign. The plans call for the bus station, which is currently located at a different location, to be relocated to the location of the mainline railway tracks currently in use. It is hoped that this will provide more space for both departures and waiting passengers. Maybe a joke, but the idea of ​​preserving the old station building or replacing it with modern buildings and green spaces could actually be taken seriously.

News from the feasibility study

The feasibility study also shows an exciting vision: a design envisages a large market hall that is compared to the famous model from Rotterdam. In the fall it will be the architects' turn when they can apply for the prestigious project. The discussion about the drafts will not take place in private; The public is actively involved in the planning process, which is not a given.

The S-Bahn lines S3 and S5 have resumed operations as planned after reopening. With the upcoming relocation of the Altona train station to Diebsteich, the planners hope for a redesign of the center, which should reach its climax after the move in 2027.

Expansion plans for the main station

In parallel with the developments at Altona station, there are also plans to redesign Hamburg Central Station, which is quite full with around a million passengers every day. As the World reported that an expansion has been under discussion for a long time, especially in the south of the train station. The aim here is to push back traffic and calm the entrance area to the city center. An enormous 37 meter high glass dome is to be stretched over the Steintordamm Bridge and act as a roof over the new transfer options between trains and buses.

The challenges are great, and the streets around the main station are also affected by these redesigns. Regulatory measures to better distribute the flow of people are also planned, as the station regularly reaches its limits. Additional escalators and shops are intended to provide greater clarity and comfort.

The big picture in view

Another aspect that goes beyond the immediate transformations is the topic of networked mobility. Loud innocam.NRW We are faced with the challenge of rethinking the entire transport infrastructure. For the future, it is essential that the infrastructure also meets the requirements of automated and networked mobility concepts. The industry is currently hesitant to invest in new infrastructure as long as the exact requirements are unclear. The topic of mobility is changing and needs creative solutions and new business models.

The coming years will be crucial for Hamburg's transport system. It remains to be seen whether the plans and visions from the feasibility studies will actually be put into practice. One thing is certain, however: the changes are not only necessary, they are also an opportunity to shape the Hanseatic city's mobility in a future-oriented manner.