Snow causes fewer traffic problems than expected; Public transit crowded
The snowy weather in the Netherlands caused fewer traffic problems on the roads than expected on Monday morning. By 9:00 a.m. there were very few traffic jams left on Dutch roads. Public transit across the country was busier than usual during morning rush hour. According to the ANWB, many people listened to advice to stay off the roads, the Telegraaf reports.
Morning rush hour traffic reached its peak even before 8:30 a.m., earlier than usual, according to the ANWB. "There were fewer collisions", the association said. "People apparently followed the advice to not go to work or other appointments. We are satisfied that people took the advice to heart. We hope that this will also be noticeable this afternoon, when snow will fall again."
NS also noticed that more people opted for a train instead of a car this morning, a spokesperson said to the Telegraaf. The rail company is running fewer trains across the country today due to the snowy weather. Those two factors, combined with multiple train traffic disruptions, meant that the trains were very crowded during morning rush hour.
More snow is expected during the course of the day. Meteorological institute KNMI issued a code orange weather warning. Heavy snowfall is expected starting in the south of the country around noon and reaching the northern provinces around 5:00 p.m. Commuters should take longer travel times into account, both on the road and on public transport, when leaving work this afternoon.
"The highways now seem clear, but in large parts of the country it is below zero and therefore the ramps and bends and curves can be slippery", Rijkswaterstaat warns. "If you do have to go on the road, take invisible slickness into account. Adjust your speed."
