Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena is much more than a public transportation hub. The use of first-rate building materials, its incredible scale and its meticulous design have all made it one of the city's most significant transportation links. When one looks at this futuristic building it's hard to imagine that less than four decades ago it was no more than a simple wooden ticket office. Bijlmer Station was opened in 1971 as a straightforward stop on the Amsterdam - Utrecht rail line. What's remarkable about this station is that at the time it was the only railway station in the Netherlands that hadn't been designed by a Dutch Railways architect, but rather by professional British architects. Since 2008, the station's had a total of eight tracks, two of which are for the metro system. The new station is located above the ArenA Boulevard, which is 70m wide. This promenade is about 700m long and links the Amsterdamse Poort to the new centre area of Amsterdam South East. The design of the building is based on the idea of 'seeing and being seen'. The transparency of the building and the beautiful design of the station's roof, which is 200m long and reaches a height of between 20 and 30m, are some of the best features of this new building. Escalators and glass elevators bridge the height difference between the underpass and the higher platforms and tracks. The light surroundings and the generous use of glass afford travellers a good view, lots comfort and a feeling of security. The glass arched roof, which contrasts with the dark sky at night, is supported by huge steel columns. Looking from beneath, the station seems to float, even if you haven't been to a local coffeeshop.