The city of Amsterdam has announced plans to enhance its ferry services across the IJ River to tackle increasing congestion, driven by rising passenger numbers. Traffic alderwoman Melanie van der Horst of the D66 party detailed the city’s strategy, emphasizing investments in larger ferries and more frequent services in the coming years.
“The number of people crossing the IJ is growing, especially as more people move to North Amsterdam,” van der Horst stated. “That’s why we’ll be investing in more and larger ferries while also increasing the frequency of ferry services.”
Extended Hours and Weekend Operations
As part of this initiative, the city will extend operating hours for existing ferry routes. The Distelweg–Pontsteiger route, for example, will now operate later into the evening and, starting January 1, will run on weekends as well.
Recruitment Challenges
Despite these plans, the expansion faces a critical hurdle: a shortage of ferry captains. The public transport operator GVB has been actively recruiting, even advertising in Urk, a town outside Amsterdam, to attract new hires. According to GVB, approximately 40 additional captains will be required to support the growing network over the coming years.
Long-Term Solutions: Bridges and Tunnels
While expanding ferry services addresses immediate congestion, Amsterdam is pursuing long-term solutions to improve connectivity across the IJ River. After years of discussions and feasibility studies, the city has committed to building two permanent bridges for pedestrians and cyclists: a West Bridge and an East Bridge.
The East Bridge, the first to be constructed, will connect the Hamerkwartier area in North Amsterdam with Azartplein in the south. Completion is anticipated by 2034, though the project has faced delays due to planning complexities and funding challenges. In July, van der Horst announced that funding for the project had been secured, with contributions from the city and the Amsterdam Transport Region.
Looking Ahead
Until the East Bridge becomes operational, ferry traffic is expected to remain heavy as more residents rely on this essential mode of transport. The city’s commitment to improving ferry services, alongside long-term infrastructure projects, highlights its efforts to meet the growing demands of a dynamic and expanding population.
