Amsterdam suspends ferry service during Sail; Metro jammed with chaotic queues
Extensive crowds of people gathered outside the Noorderpark metro station in Amsterdam-Noord after most ferries across the IJ River were temporarily suspended due to the Sail-In event on Wednesday. The suspension lasted for about 90 minutes, with waits of up to 45 minutes reported at Noorderpark station, the last stop before Central Station on the Noord-Zuid line.
Most ferries to and from Central Station stopped running at around 3:30 p.m. at the request of the Port of Amsterdam. The organization cited safety concerns on the water and to ensure smooth boating traffic during the parade of tall ships, naval vessels, yachts, and pleasure craft.
Ferries between Pontsteiger and NDSM-Werf, and between Azartplein and Zamenhofstraat in Noord, continued operating throughout the day. Services resumed around 5 p.m., after the port gave Amsterdam public transport operator GVB permission to sail again.
The temporary suspension led to extensive queues outside the metro station, with security guards limiting access to prevent crowds inside. “Yeah, if everyone has to jam together and merge from every direction, of course it will take longer,” one annoyed passenger told NL Times.
Passengers who normally travel with bicycles on the ferries also tried to use the metro instead, but bicycles are not permitted on the Noord-Zuid line. “It is incredibly busy in the city around Central Station and the IJ,” a GVB spokesperson said.
“Our staff at the gates are informing passengers that bicycles are not allowed, which has added to the crowding.” One NL Times staff member saw one bicyclist after another forced to turn around and walk back.
Families traveling with small children in strollers also faced challenges entering the metro station. There were no water points or shades areas outside the Noorderpark stop.
GVB said later it was running as many metros as possible to accommodate the high number of passengers. Once travelers finally made their way to the platforms, waiting time was limited.
The road network in Amsterdam was also affected, with the Coentunnel closed for construction and the Michiel de Ruijtertunnel closed due to the event. Long traffic jams formed on the ring road up to Noord, and congestion was heavy on the S100 inner ring road
