The changes are part of the broader redevelopment of Hoofdstation, one of Groningen’s most important transport hubs. The new Kiss+Ride area replaces the former drop-off point located between the KPN building and the Stadsbalkon, according to Groningen Bereikbaar.

For students who commute or are dropped off at the station by friends or family, the change is intended to make transfers to trains and buses easier. Unlike the previous setup, the Kiss+Ride area and taxi stand are now directly integrated into the station’s public transport zone.

The new facilities are located under the old platform canopy on the western side of the station. The central section is intended for cars briefly dropping off or picking up passengers, while taxis have their own designated area on the side where the railway tracks used to be. According to project manager Gerd Boerema, the aim was to make both locations easier to find and more accessible for travellers.

Work Around the Station Is Not Finished Yet

The opening of the new facilities does not mean that the redevelopment of the station is complete.

More construction work will continue on the western side of the station in the coming months. This includes creating an accessible connection for wheelchair users to Van Hallbrug, building a new cycle path and installing more than 800 additional bicycle parking spaces. Authorities expect this phase of the project to be completed by the end of 2026.

The old taxi stand near the Stadsbalkon will not disappear immediately. It will remain temporarily available, as will the bicycle parking area near Van Hall.

Another Step in the Transformation of Hoofdstation

For anyone who has lived in Groningen in recent years, construction work around the station has become an almost permanent part of the cityscape. The new Kiss+Ride area, however, marks another completed element of the Groningen Spoorzone project.

The redevelopment has already included the renovation of the station, the opening of the new bus terminal and the construction of the bus underpass. The project is being carried out through a partnership involving the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, ProRail, NS, the Province of Groningen and the Municipality of Groningen.

For students, the most important piece of information is simple: if someone is dropping you off or picking you up by car at Hoofdstation, the new Kiss+Ride area is now located on the western side of the station, at the site of the former platform 1.