Amsterdam plans expansion of ferry service amid growing traffic

In response to increasing congestion on ferries crossing the IJ River, the city of Amsterdam plans to invest in larger, more frequent ferries in the coming years, according to traffic alderwoman Melanie van der Horst of the D66 party.

Van der Horst acknowledged the challenges posed by the growing number of passengers, particularly as more people move to the northern parts of the city. "The number of people crossing the IJ is growing, especially as more people move to North Amsterdam. That’s why, in the coming years, we’ll be investing in more and larger ferries. We’re also increasing the frequency of ferry services," she said.

The city's initiative includes extending operating hours for existing routes, such as the one between Distelweg and Pontsteiger, which will continue running later into the evening. Starting January 1, this route will also operate on weekends.

However, the city's efforts to expand the ferry service face significant challenges due to a shortage of ferry captains. The public transport company GVB has been actively seeking new employees and has even placed recruitment ads in Urk, a town outside Amsterdam, to attract workers. According to GVB, around 40 new captains will be needed for various ferry routes in the coming years.

Meanwhile, long-term solutions to alleviate congestion, including a permanent bridge over the IJ River, have been a topic of discussion for several years. Several options have been explored, including a pedestrian and cyclist tunnel, additional metro stations, and bridges across the river.

Ultimately, the city has decided to proceed with the bridge option, which will provide two new fixed crossings for pedestrians and cyclists: a West Bridge and an East Bridge. The East Bridge, which will be built first, is expected to be completed by 2034. However, the project has faced delays due to planning complexities and funding challenges. In July, van der Horst announced that all necessary funding had been secured, thanks to an additional contribution from the city and the Amsterdam Transport Region.

Once completed, the East Bridge will connect the Hamerkwartier area on the northern side of the IJ River with the Azartplein area on the southern side. Until then, ferry traffic is expected to remain heavy as more people continue to cross the IJ.