Plans for a new underground bus station have received broad support from Eindhoven City Council, though the project has also raised significant questions regarding costs and logistics. Key concerns include the project’s size and the controversial proposal for an above-ground bus parking area, known as a bus buffer, at the site of the Flying Pins sculpture.
Financial implications
Political parties, including the VVD, SP, FvD, and 50Plus, expressed particular worry about the financial implications. The total cost of the project is estimated at one billion euros, with Eindhoven responsible for ten per cent. VVD councillor Danielle Stijntjes questioned who would carry the risk if the project becomes more expensive, as the city’s share would increase accordingly.
The project’s complexity has led some to fear the council may lose oversight. The SP emphasised the need to protect other municipal spending, such as healthcare, from pressure from the station’s budget. Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers assured the council that the budget remains within the agreed financial framework and will not affect other policy areas. However, he warned that any postponement would likely drive costs higher.
The planned bus buffer along Kennedylaan, near the site for a new Rijksmuseum branch, remains a major point of contention. Councillors questioned why the city is moving the station underground if buses will still park prominently on the surface. Alderperson Steenbakkers is currently investigating alternative locations, including private land, to avoid placing the buffer in front of the future museum.
The coalition party GroenLinks also raised concerns about long-term capacity. Councillor Rutger Rauws warned that the planned bicycle storage could reach capacity as early as 2040, just 12 years after opening. He urged the city to investigate expansion options now to avoid costly modifications later.
Despite these hurdles, a large majority of the council views the current plans positively. A formal agreement is expected next week, which would allow construction of the underground station to begin in 2030.
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