- 5 weeks ago
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00:00One of Europe's busiest train stations is undergoing a major renovation.
00:07It's a risky and stressful operation. It's exciting.
00:10But for the station's 900 employees, it's business as usual.
00:16Amsterdam Central Station has a certain charm other stations simply can't match.
00:21High quality service is a top priority.
00:25I don't want to take a train, I don't want to take a plane, I don't want to take a...
00:29I just want to eat. I just want a good meal.
00:33Feed me.
00:35Making sure things are running on time.
00:38You will notice a V over the sign.
00:40If the light starts blinking, that means it's safe for me to close the doors and take off.
00:48And safe...
00:55...requires everyone's best every day.
00:58Just stay still.
01:00Every day is different at Amsterdam Central.
01:03Different people, different dynamics, different questions.
01:287,000 kilometers of tracks lead to one of the country's busiest railway hubs, Amsterdam Central Station.
01:37This 19th century station is undergoing a major renovation to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
01:49Today marks the beginning of a new and spectacular stage.
01:53The East Concrete Railway Bridge was recently demolished.
01:58Three, two, one...
02:04And was dismantled in only a few weeks.
02:09The 30-year-old concrete bridge will be replaced by a modern one.
02:17With demolition complete, we're now beginning with installing the bridge sections.
02:22These are primarily made of steel, coated with a special material, designed to ensure a durability of up to 100
02:30years.
02:34The new bridge is transported by water in three separate parts, after which they're rotated and positioned into place.
02:45The three enormous sections are 24 to 28 meters long, and each weigh up to 275 tons.
02:56A technical tour de force of epic proportions.
03:02This is quite an operation, with three enormous bridge sections connecting to Amsterdam Central Station.
03:10They are transported by water and submerged carefully, which is quite a unique operation.
03:18With military precision, the sections are loaded onto a pontoon to cross the Amsterdam Rhine Canal.
03:27The 100-kilometer journey from the shipyard to the station will take an entire day.
03:39The wait's nerve-wracking for Leon, who won't be able to relax until the bridge has arrived safely.
03:53It's a great and proud feeling to see the bridge finally coming in.
03:57This is what we've been working towards.
04:01But they're not there yet.
04:06While the bridge is ready for transport, Amsterdam Central is preparing for a new day.
04:13At the kiosk, Rose has begun her daily morning ritual.
04:19This is how I like to start the day in the morning.
04:22Usually, I'm here on my own, and I just start baking and getting everything ready, when there's no one around
04:30to disturb you.
04:32It's just nice to start the day quietly, with a cup of coffee, watching the croissants turn golden brown.
04:42I've always had an early morning routine, because I was taking care of my children.
04:48And my husband worked evenings, and I worked mornings, so we didn't need a babysitter.
04:54Only mum and dad, and no one else. That's it.
05:05It's almost 7.30 a.m., rush hour's already in full swing.
05:10All-woman team Caroline and Zoe are patrolling the halls today.
05:14They're part of the 68 members of the safety and services team.
05:20Responsible for maintaining safety.
05:22And they go about it in their own particular way.
05:27Hello, speak Netherlands, Dutch?
05:29Dutch.
05:31Speak Dutch?
05:31Yes.
05:32Yeah?
05:32You can't smoke here.
05:34I'm sorry.
05:35Men tend to respond differently to situations.
05:40Working with a male partner is different from working with a female partner.
05:45Women are often able to handle the situation more calmly.
05:49Men are less adept at the escalating.
05:52A team of two women worked really well.
05:56Of the 200,000 travelers, a small number of fair dodgers.
06:00That's why strict checks are in place.
06:04In one of the halls, two men are loitering suspiciously at the turnstiles.
06:10Good morning.
06:11Hello.
06:12Do you have a train ticket?
06:15No.
06:15Do you not have a ticket?
06:17No.
06:18Do you have identification?
06:19No.
06:20Do you have ID or passport?
06:21No passport.
06:22No passport.
06:23No passport.
06:24Do you have a picture on your phone, maybe?
06:27No passport.
06:29Since neither are in possession of a valid ticket,
06:32we apprehended them.
06:35Pass the turnstiles, you need a valid ticket.
06:37No exception.
06:38That's the issue here.
06:48The men are from Algeria, classified as an unsafe country.
06:53They wish to apply for asylum, but seem to be lost.
06:57Where do you want to ask for asylum?
06:59Do you want to go to Ter Apel?
07:01No.
07:02Ter Apel.
07:04You have to go with a train.
07:06Four days, yeah.
07:08Four days.
07:09No sleep.
07:10Four days, no sleep.
07:11Okay.
07:12So you want to go to Ter Apel?
07:14Yes?
07:14Yes.
07:15Okay.
07:15We regularly come across asylum seekers in Amsterdam.
07:19They are just in the wrong part of the country.
07:21These people have to go to Ter Apel.
07:25Ter Apel Asylum Center is located in Groningen,
07:29some 200 kilometers from Amsterdam.
07:32Caroline wants to verify their story.
07:35These men speak only French, of course,
07:38when they come from Algeria.
07:42They say that they have nothing to do with them.
07:44I don't know if you want to go for it.
07:48Yes.
07:49Do you want to go to the corner?
07:51Yes.
07:54A colleague searches the men,
07:56but can't find any documentation either.
07:59And so, the police are called in.
08:03We have no idea who they are.
08:05The police have a greater access to the system.
08:08We only have limited access.
08:11The police are able to check whether they've been here before
08:14and whether their details are known.
08:18If so, they're bound to find them.
08:21If not, too bad.
08:28Amsterdam's central station connects 100 cities by rail.
08:32A daily flow of some 200,000 passengers travels safely and on time.
08:44Alexandra from Tickets and Services has several assistance jobs scheduled for today.
08:51And it seems everyone's in a hurry.
08:56I'm about to assist someone in an electric wheelchair onto the train.
09:00He needs to go to Brussels,
09:02and there our Belgian colleagues will help him disembark.
09:06Dear passengers,
09:08the international train to Bruxelles will depart from platform number 15B.
09:14Be careful.
09:15Look out, please. Be careful.
09:18You can come here.
09:19Well, we're going to try it.
09:24This is good.
09:27Yes, but he's not going here.
09:28Sir, come here.
09:30I'm not going to run.
09:32I'm not going to run.
09:35I'm not going to run.
09:35No, man, you're going to run your back.
09:38No, but you're going to run your back.
09:40You're going to run your back, sweetheart.
09:41You're not going to run.
09:43You're not going to run.
09:44People are getting on and off everywhere.
09:46Sometimes it's just hopeless.
09:49Take it easy, huh?
09:51Hold on, hold on.
09:52No, you can pass.
09:54You can pass.
09:55Yes, make the turn.
09:57Oh, this is a nice one.
09:59You're very welcome.
10:01Have a safe journey.
10:03We just about managed.
10:05Sweats running down my forehead, but we did it.
10:07Thank goodness.
10:20Meanwhile, the new railway bridge is on its way to Amsterdam Central Station,
10:26where the construction team's preparing for the next challenge.
10:31Installation.
10:35As Amsterdam Central welcomes the new bridge transported by water,
10:41employees have their hands full with the day-to-day business.
10:48Travellers lose around 62,000 items on the train or at the station each year.
10:55Today, Husta from the Tickets and Services team is working at Lost and Found,
11:00and hopes to return some items to their rightful owners.
11:06All items found on the train, at the station, on buses or trams are often turned in here.
11:13Of course, once the train has pulled in, the conductors check the train.
11:19Suitcases, books, umbrellas, phones, wallets full of money, you name it.
11:26Hallo collega's.
11:28Dag, ik heb deze gewonnen.
11:30Inde?
11:3192, 19.
11:33Heb je erin gekeken?
11:35Ja.
11:35Ja, er zijn vruchten binnen.
11:37Vruchten?
11:37Ja, als je honger hebt.
11:39Nee.
11:39Vruchten en groenten.
11:41Oeh.
11:41Ja.
11:42Kijk nou toch eens.
11:45Paprika.
11:46Ja.
11:48Sla, eieren.
11:49Een laptop ook nog.
11:52Ja.
11:54Smakelijk.
11:56Nee, dat gaan we niet doen.
11:58Kijk eens, die is voor jullie.
11:59Dankjewel.
12:00Oké.
12:01Goeiedag nog.
12:03All food items found in the bag that has been found on the train will be discarded tonight.
12:08Because it will easily, well, if the bag is here left for a week, the lettuce will spoil.
12:14But to give the owner the opportunity to retrieve his belongings today, we won't throw anything away until 11pm.
12:21After that, we throw it out.
12:24Items not picked up within a week are taken to a central depository in Utrecht.
12:31Every day of the week we put the found items.
12:34This is from today.
12:36Today's items are stored in this locker.
12:40Today is not too bad.
12:43Here we have a wallet found on the train from Brussels to Amsterdam.
12:49A phone found on the train from Paris.
12:54Another phone found at the station.
12:58A jumper.
13:00A coat.
13:02Another coat.
13:03One large rucksack.
13:06Even a giant suitcase like this is left behind.
13:10Sometimes even bicycles.
13:12You'd be amazed what people seem to be losing.
13:16My weirdest find, by the way, was a parakeet.
13:20Well, I didn't find it myself, but it was brought in.
13:22I think I have a photo.
13:27The parakeet stayed here for two hours before it was picked up by the animal control.
13:35Around one third of lost items are recovered within 48 hours.
13:40The top three items include keys, bags and coats.
13:46But there's another hot item at Lost & Found.
13:51My phone found.
13:53Yes.
13:54You've just had me on the phone, if it's good.
13:56That's wonderful.
13:57If you want to fill this for me...
13:59Yes, very good.
14:00And then the maatstack.
14:01Well, that's another one, right?
14:03Well, totally fine.
14:05Good day.
14:06And I'll have a tattoo.
14:06You make my day.
14:08Can I have a tattoo?
14:09No, I can't.
14:10Good day, meneer.
14:11Good day.
14:13It's wonderful to be able to reunite a person with their lost property.
14:17Especially if it's a phone.
14:19It contains our entire life.
14:21We all have that.
14:22So losing it...
14:24Meanwhile, the safety and services team is trying to identify two fair dodgers without passports.
14:33The police arrive to see if there are any records of them.
14:37They have nothing.
14:39No, nothing.
14:39No, nothing.
14:41The men write down their names, but they don't pop up in the system.
14:46Zoe and Caroline could issue a fine for not having any ID nor a valid ticket.
14:56If you have something like, they're going to do nothing with them, then I'd rather give them
15:00a costless one.
15:02And then we'll put them on the train so that they go away.
15:05Because you know what it is?
15:06Otherwise we'll come back to them again.
15:07And then we'll have the same problem.
15:08Yeah.
15:09Yeah.
15:09Yeah, but they said that it's not overwhelming.
15:11No.
15:11No.
15:12So we'll put them on the train.
15:15Yeah, we'll do that.
15:17Yeah.
15:17I'm not issuing a fine.
15:20They don't have any documentation.
15:22You can fine people until the cows come home, but what would be the point?
15:27These people don't have a passport.
15:29They flat here.
15:31Writing a ticket would be pointless, in my opinion.
15:35Fining for the sake of fining isn't my style.
15:43Okay.
15:45This your tickets?
15:45Yes.
15:46Viva Orlando.
15:47Okay, come.
15:48This yours?
15:49You can show this to the conductor in the train, yes?
15:54Caroline and Zoe issue a free train ticket to Ter Apple's application centre.
16:01If they're from a country that allows them to apply for asylum, they should do so in Ter
16:06Apple.
16:08The immigration service will decide whether they're eligible for asylum.
16:13I'm just here to get them on their way.
16:16You're welcome.
16:19Okay.
16:20Yeah.
16:21Dead train.
16:22Yes?
16:241708.
16:25Almere.
16:26Denswolle.
16:27Yes?
16:28Denter Apple.
16:29Yes.
16:30Okay, good luck.
16:31Okay.
16:32Don't do it.
16:37Of course the question is, will they be granted asylum or not?
16:42That's the big question.
16:44But at least we offered them some help.
16:47I stand by my decision.
16:50I don't know how it'll turn out, but for now, they're getting on the train.
16:55Yeah.
17:00Sometimes the strict employees of safety and services decide to be lenient.
17:11Not only is Amsterdam's central station one of the busiest railway hubs, it's also the country's
17:18most visited monument.
17:21La Grande Dame, as she's sometimes known, was built in 1889 and continues to impress those
17:29who enter, whether it's visitors or employees.
17:33Amsterdam's central station is very dear to my heart.
17:36I've been coming here since I was young.
17:38It is a historic site with lots of different people.
17:41It's also my workplace, so it's wonderful to come here every day.
17:48Architect Kuypers incorporated the latest technologies into the design.
17:53He didn't want it to merely be a gateway to the city, but also the epitome of the city's economic
18:01prosperity.
18:05The best thing about Amsterdam's central station is that it's an old station.
18:09It's a monument.
18:10The combination of an old station and modern technologies is what makes Amsterdam's central station
18:16the country's most beautiful station.
18:20This classic engineering can be clearly seen in many places hidden from the public.
18:27For station manager René, the historic building holds no secrets.
18:33We're in the top attic above the station's middle section.
18:36What we are seeing here are the domes beneath us that are only visible from the attic.
18:47The domes are covered with a flat ceiling on the bottom and are therefore invisible.
18:54I'm not sure, but I suspect Kuypers also wanted to add stained glass to the vertical parts.
19:04But it was never completed, so this is what it looks like now.
19:10The domes are located above the ceiling, and there was no money left to paint them as Kuypers originally wanted.
19:18In the end, it was decided to construct a dropped ceiling underneath.
19:24My greatest wish is to restore this while I'm still in active employment.
19:30But of course, financing remains an issue to this day.
19:35If I ever win the jackpot, I will finish Kuypers' life's work.
19:44Due to a lack of funds, concessions were made to the finishing touches,
19:50as is evident when René goes even higher up.
19:55We're on the roof of Amsterdam Central Station.
19:59Behind me are the crown decorations above the royal waiting room.
20:04Interesting to note is that the crown that's visible in the front is gold-plated,
20:10whereas the others are simply painted yellow.
20:14An example of Dutch thrift.
20:16We like to show off what's most visible, and the rest can do with less.
20:27Fortunately, plenty of details still remain, revealing the architect's perfectionism.
20:36If you look around the attic, you'll notice the trusses that are made of steel.
20:41What's interesting is that this clearly demonstrates Kuypers' mixture of modern and traditional techniques
20:48that he worked on and designed together with the architect Van Gent.
20:53Van Gent was the engineer who was responsible for the steel structures,
20:58and Kuypers basically designed the outer shell.
21:06Another note-worthy item on this attic is this flagpole.
21:10We have two of them.
21:11One on each side of the attic.
21:14These are used for state visits.
21:18Whenever there's a state visit, the flag is raised here.
21:21Just look at the amazing view from the attic.
21:28Amsterdam Central, along with where we're standing now, is rich in history.
21:34The city is nearly 750 years old, and the station will be celebrating its 135th anniversary.
21:51This historic location is inextricably linked to the lives of travellers.
21:59Look at what a feast here.
22:03At Lost and Found, Gusta helps dozens of people who've lost their personal belongings every day.
22:12Hello.
22:13Hi.
22:13Coming to try to find this luggage.
22:17Oh, that's a big one. When did you last it?
22:19Two days ago.
22:20Me la robaron.
22:24Okay, one moment.
22:25Yes, okay.
22:31Well, this woman has lost a huge pocket, but...
22:35I kept here very much.
22:37It was two days ago.
22:38Yes.
22:39It's not here.
22:40There's a lot inside.
22:41All my clothes inside.
22:43All my clothes.
22:44But not passports or anything.
22:47The only thing that I could have in my pocket.
22:50The only thing.
22:51It was in the train from Berlin to here, right?
22:54Okay.
22:54It's then showing the train.
22:57When the train is coming here, they're looking...
22:59No.
22:59I don't know.
23:00No.
23:01Somebody stole it.
23:02Yes.
23:03Yes, that's the problem.
23:04Okay.
23:05I'm so sorry.
23:06Okay.
23:06Bye.
23:07Have a nice day.
23:08Thanks.
23:09People can be very disappointed when their lost items are not brought here.
23:14Especially when they're left on a train.
23:17People expect it to be turned in at the lost and found.
23:20But not everyone is honest in this world.
23:22Some things get stolen on the train.
23:32I found a bag that I found on the train.
23:34Oh, joh.
23:34Yes, a laptop bag.
23:36Hey.
23:36It's nice that there are still people.
23:38It's good.
23:39Okay.
23:39Bye.
23:40Bye.
23:40Bye.
23:41Bye.
23:42Bye.
23:43Bye.
23:43Bye.
23:43Bye.
23:46Bye.
23:46Bye.
23:46Bye.
23:48Bye.
23:52Bye.
23:53Bye.
23:58Bye.
24:04Bye.
24:07Bye.
24:11Bye.
24:14Bye.
24:16Bye.
24:16Bye.
24:16Bye.
24:19Bye.
24:19Bye.
24:20Bye.
24:28It's this one?
24:30Wow, wow, thank you so much.
24:33Thank you so much.
24:36Working here really restores my faith in humankindness,
24:40with so many items being brought in,
24:42including wallets full of money someone finds on a train.
24:45People bring those here.
24:48Or brand-new iPhones worth 1200 euros
24:51are turned in by people who found it.
24:54It's wonderful to return those items to the rightful owner.
24:58That's very rewarding.
25:07Amsterdam Central takes travel assistance very seriously.
25:12For the tickets and services team,
25:14providing exceptional service is a critical task.
25:20Alexandra's been assisting travelers from all over
25:22for three years now.
25:24Hi, good morning.
25:26Oh my goodness, that is so cute.
25:30Oh my God, where did she get it from?
25:32Here.
25:33I don't know.
25:34Yeah?
25:35Okay, and why the monkey?
25:37I like it.
25:38You like it, huh?
25:39You saw it and you're like, oh, it's cute.
25:43I take quite a few steps every day.
25:46Probably close to 10,000.
25:50And that's just on regular weekdays.
25:53On holidays, such as King's Day,
25:56that number goes up to 13,000 or 14,000.
26:00Absolutely.
26:01Absolutely.
26:04Today, Alexandra is helping a visually impaired traveler.
26:09The station does feature tactile paving
26:13for the blind and visually impaired,
26:16indicated by white textured tiles.
26:19But with the current renovations,
26:22it's easy to get lost.
26:24Mevrouw Vierbergen.
26:25Hi.
26:26Goedemorgen.
26:26Ik ben Alexandra.
26:28Precies.
26:28Hi, eigenaam.
26:30Hi.
26:30Wat vindt u fijn?
26:31Wilt u me vasthouden?
26:33Zal ik uw tas vasthouden?
26:36Sowieso?
26:36Je moet mij al meenemen.
26:38Arm, wat vindt u het makkelijkst?
26:41Zo.
26:41Ja, zo is het makkelijkst.
26:43Nou, dan gaan we naar spoor 10B.
26:44Oké.
26:45U gaat naar Almere.
26:47Ja.
26:48Helemaal goed.
26:50Nou, daar gaan we, mevrouw Vierbergen.
26:52Dan laat ik u even los.
26:54Ja, dat is goed.
26:56Ja?
26:58Die van Amersfoort staat er nu nog.
27:01Dus we wachten even tot deze weg is.
27:04En dan komt die van u.
27:07En dan zoeken we even wat meer ruimte op.
27:10Ja, toch?
27:12Alexandra offers a warm heart and a helping hand,
27:16which is much appreciated.
27:18I am on my way to my grandson to babysit.
27:22I do it every week.
27:25Thanks to their help, I am able to babysit every week.
27:30Fantastic.
27:33Het is een hele hoge opstap.
27:35Dus doe alstublieft voorzichtig.
27:40Gaat dat lukken zo?
27:42Ja.
27:42Wacht even, want dan ga ik nog even de deur vol open doen.
27:46Gaat u gaan.
27:47Dan zou ik lekker meteen hier links gaan zitten.
27:49Nou, hele goede reis en ik geef de plaatsing door, ja?
27:52Dankjewel.
27:54Tot ziens.
27:54Daag.
27:56Getting travellers safely from A to B is top priority for Alexandra,
28:01despite the station's usual hustle and bustle.
28:06Occasionally, when it's exceptionally crowded,
28:09people can be quite rude.
28:11Someone could be trying to get up the stairs using a cane.
28:15People will just ignore them and step over the cane.
28:21To me, that's a clear sign of the brutalisation of society.
28:25People can be so selfish.
28:28I'd love for people to be a bit more considerate of one another.
28:40As the new bridge section nears its designated location.
28:46Gusta, at Lost and Found, receives a call from one of the station's shop employees.
28:53A traveller has contacted the shop to inquire about a lost backpack.
28:59Gusta takes over the request for assistance.
29:03Hallo, goeiedag met Gusta van NS.
29:07You lost a backpack in a German train?
29:10On Sunday.
29:12Bench?
29:13Black.
29:14Oké.
29:15I will look in our lockers if your backpack is in sight.
29:21But call that iPhone that's in sight in five minutes.
29:26Oké.
29:28Bye.
29:29Oké.
29:30Zondag.
29:31Dinsdag, maandag, zondag.
29:38Dinsdag, maandag, zondag.
29:39Ook niet.
29:46Ik ben bang dat hij niet met ons ligt.
29:50Ik heb wel skis.
29:54Meneer zou nu ongeveer moeten bellen.
29:57Oh, hi sir.
29:59Hallo.
29:59Goedemorgen.
30:00Goedemorgen.
30:01Goedemorgen.
30:02Er is een handtasje van mijn stiefmoeder gisteren gevonden en hier afgegeven.
30:06Oké.
30:07En wat voor handtasje is het?
30:08Een bruine handtas.
30:09Gisteren, hè?
30:09Gisteren.
30:19Ja!
30:19Ik heb hem.
30:20En niet die van u.
30:21Dit is een andere.
30:22Oh.
30:22Maar die telefoon, die boeken heel even opnemen.
30:25Meneer, momentje.
30:26Hallo.
30:26Met Guus Stijnes.
30:28Ja, hallo.
30:29Ja, ja.
30:30Your bag is here, sir.
30:33But it was in the wrong case.
30:36So I didn't find it earlier.
30:39But it is here.
30:40I will put your bag in the system.
30:42And they can send it up to your home address.
30:45Bye.
30:47Maar nu voor deze meneer, een bruine handtas.
30:50Ja.
30:54Een handtas met een staart.
30:55Dat klopt.
30:56Ja.
30:57En een telefoon.
30:58En een telefoon.
30:58Ja.
30:59En wilt u dit invullen?
31:01Ja.
31:02Fijne dag.
31:03Dag.
31:05Amsterdam's Central Station is a part of people's lives.
31:08Joy and sorrow are closely intertwined.
31:12And this is most evident at Lost and Found.
31:16This is where all human emotions come together.
31:20It's like a miniature Amsterdam Central Station.
31:24Ja.
31:30Hopefully another happy traveller.
31:36The new bridge section has finally arrived at the station.
31:41But to get it past the bridge, to the assembly site, it needs to be submerged.
31:48We submerge it by filling the pontoon with water to increase its weight.
31:53Causing it to sink below water level.
31:56By doing so calmly and controlled, we can closely monitor the bridge section.
32:02We can keep it very well in the gates.
32:08Submersion takes a few hours.
32:11But there's more work for the team to do.
32:16Submersion is a risky process.
32:18Because the bridges here in the city centre are very low.
32:21The section has to pass under two bridges.
32:24Which is always a tight fit.
32:29The pontoon heads for the bridge with a mere two metre clearance.
32:40With a bridge section weighing roughly as much as 45 African elephants, caution's essential.
32:48It takes great navigational skills to avoid damaging the historic canals.
33:06Amsterdam Central Station is the city's calling card.
33:11To make sure travellers feel safe, Safety and Services, Caroline and Menno, patrol the station every morning.
33:20Good morning.
33:22Are we awake?
33:23Are we going outside?
33:25Get up. Yeah, there's no sleeping here.
33:26You can go outside.
33:29That's yours?
33:30Yeah, you can take it.
33:33Bye-bye.
33:35We're waking people who are sleeping at the station.
33:38This isn't a hotel, though many people believe it is.
33:44They're causing a nuisance.
33:46Some people are sleeping in the middle of the hall, much due to the dismay of travellers.
33:54A small number of homeless people consider Amsterdam Central Station their home.
34:00However, this is against the rules.
34:04Good morning.
34:06Hello.
34:07Hey.
34:09When you've missed your train, it's totally fine to wait somewhere for the next train to arrive.
34:15But if you're homeless, the station isn't the place to stay.
34:19There are plenty of organisations that provide meals, shower, clean clothes and a place to sleep.
34:26In the sleep.
34:28Is it good?
34:30Yes.
34:31Go even on a table.
34:33You can sit here, but go then just sit there.
34:36Yes, please.
34:40I can imagine that when you're awake, you need time for a little bit to wake up.
34:45Yes, but it's not a hotel here.
34:48No, that's right.
34:50But it's just people.
34:53Former police officer Menno notices their daily rounds paying off.
34:58It's difficult.
34:59He's standing in front of the door.
35:01It was much worse eight years ago.
35:04We would be waking up and throwing out 30 to 35 homeless people every day.
35:09I'm happy to say it's much better now, but they're still coming in.
35:13And some are very stubborn.
35:15Look at this.
35:16He needs to sit down.
35:18You can sit down on a bank, okay?
35:20Come on.
35:21Go on.
35:23Go on.
35:23Go on.
35:24Go on.
35:24Go on.
35:24Go on.
35:24Go on.
35:26Go on.
35:27Go on.
35:28Go on.
35:30Go on.
35:30Go on.
35:34Let's go on.
35:40This man is not good, man.
35:44You are not strong enough.
35:46I'm not strong enough, so I'm pretty strong.
35:49I'm strong and empathic.
36:09It has finally entered our work site, and we can start deballasting the pontoon,
36:14which means releasing the water, allowing the bridge section to float up.
36:21Once completed, the sections are joined together to form the new bridge.
36:29To transport them, the team uses so-called SPMTs, self-propelled modular transporters.
36:36These are special vehicles enabling us to move and rotate the bridge section.
36:43The operation is carried out with surgical precision.
36:47If anything goes wrong, it could have dramatic consequences.
36:53Each wheel is able to rotate independently.
36:57That's important because the bridge section is very heavy,
37:00and we have to maneuver it in all directions.
37:03We're about to carousel the section, which means rotating the bridge deck.
37:08It has to be rotated a quarter turn.
37:12This is quite a risky operation, as the pontoon has to remain stable.
37:19The SPMTs, the special transport vehicles, have to be positioned in the center
37:24to prevent the pontoon from tipping over.
37:45If it does tip over, the bridge deck could possibly slide off.
37:57The first two bridge sections are successfully put in place.
38:08But the third part is the most critical, and still needs to be done.
38:17For a handful of homeless people, Amsterdam's central station is a place to sleep.
38:25Safety and services Menno and Caroline encourage them to seek shelter elsewhere.
38:32People without a place to stay hanging around the station often cause a nuisance.
38:39Usually they're cut off from society.
38:42Drug addicts, alcoholics, they often bother other people.
38:49People should be able to travel comfortably and safely.
38:53That's why we escort these people outside.
38:57And while most comply, there are some who never seem to learn.
39:02He's still there.
39:06He's still there.
39:06Goedemiddag.
39:07Hallo.
39:10Meneer.
39:12Meneer.
39:12Meneer.
39:13Wakker worden.
39:15Wakker worden.
39:16Wakker worden.
39:17Goed zo.
39:19Houd die kant op, ok?
39:26Nou, kom.
39:27Ga je mee?
39:29Kom.
39:30Kom.
39:31Kom.
39:31Kom.
39:34Gelukkende buiten je.
39:35Nevertheless, this uninvited guest appreciates their approach.
39:41I think they're doing their job.
39:42You know, I can't think anything personal because at the end of the day, you have hundreds of homeless people.
39:48And you have to keep in mind that they're going to make sure to do their job first.
39:51You know, they're going to watch you and say, well, okay, you got 20 minutes, you got 30 minutes.
39:55Hope it made something to you because after that you have to go.
39:57You can't have to go, it's what it is.
39:59But they're not bad people.
40:01They're just doing their job.
40:03The homeless population of Amsterdam is estimated to be around 15,000.
40:10Caroline sometimes struggles with the fact she has to move them on.
40:15I'm conflicted at times.
40:17Homeless people or even those causing trouble, they're still people.
40:23Sure, our job is to wake them up and ask them to leave.
40:27But for me personally, it's not always easy.
40:37Various organisations offer the homeless a place to sleep at night.
40:42Hey, is everything going on?
40:44Everything going on?
40:45Everything going on?
40:45Everything going on?
40:46Yes.
40:48How is it going with you?
40:49It's really good.
40:50Yes?
40:51Do you come here to see?
40:53He's old.
40:54He used to live in a caravan, but it burned down.
40:58That was basically his home.
40:59He used to live in a house.
41:01He used to live in a house.
41:02He used to live in a house.
41:03He used to live in a house.
41:04So you don't have a desk anymore?
41:05No.
41:06Menno contacts the municipal enforcement officer outside the station to help the man find shelter.
41:21He doesn't have a caravan or house anymore.
41:24It saddens me.
41:26Especially if you're old and trying your best.
41:40There's so little we can do, my work ends here.
41:44It's hard for me to accept we can't help them any further.
41:48This is how many people end up falling through the cracks.
41:52I struggle with it every now and then.
41:58On the east side, the railway bridge installation reaches its final stage.
42:05We're about to put the bridge section in place.
42:09This is the project's most important part.
42:12It's what we've been working towards.
42:14It makes us feel really, really proud.
42:20After setting up the outer sections, it's time to install the middle one,
42:25which is the most difficult part.
42:34We're going to position the bridge section by driving it in,
42:38which allows us to put it in place with millimeter precision.
42:42We'll then lower it down and have it rest on the supports.
43:00The middle section installation is the most critical part of the operation.
43:06We only have a few centimeters on each side to position the bridge section correctly.
43:18Leon and his team have to accomplish quite a feat.
43:22The pontoon brings the two tons of steel into position at a few meters per hour.
43:38The first part of this complex operation has finally been completed.
43:44The first train will cross the bridge in a few months.
43:49Construction manager Leon is proud of his team.
43:52This is the first of five railway bridges to be replaced.
43:57And with this, Amsterdam Central Station has already improved a bit and is ready for the future.
44:04The next step is the second part of the operation of the race.
44:05Who is a female and their ground?
44:17And with this, the next step is to follow the following.
44:18And follow the message.
44:19We will see you in the next part of this video.
44:19And we will see you in the next step.
44:23We will see you in the next part of this video.
44:23We have to follow up on Twitter.
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