It is quite unbelievable that Amsterdam still does not have a bridge over the River IJ, despite discussions on this topic dating back almost two centuries. There are no other cities in the Netherlands that sit along a river and don’t have a bridge. A bridge over the IJ would need to span at least 100 metres, but that is not unusual; examples of such large bridges can be found in cities such as Nijmegen, Nieuwegein and even the tiny town of Nigtevecht. Yet, in Amsterdam, the ferry service remains the main connection across the river for people who walk or cycle.
The new ferries and buildings along the northern bank of the IJ showcase the changes over the years. These ferries cater to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as mopeds and scooters, including what look like “mini-cars” (which are actually especially adapted vehicles for people with disabilities).
In earlier blog posts (from 2015 and 2010), I already showed the ferries. In the 2015 version, I reported that there were six ferry lines, and now there are seven. The most important one of those, behind Central Station, is the F3 Buiksloterweg ferry. The earliest mention of this ferry dates back to the year 1308, but it is probably much older. Two ships operate on this line during the day, which means a ferry crosses the river every six minutes. During rush hour, a third ferry is added, reducing the waiting time to four minutes. At the busiest times, there is even a fourth ferry in operation.
As soon as passengers disembark, …
Some of the ferry boats have been replaced since my last video. In the video, you can clearly see ferries numbered 61 and 63. This series (numbers 60 to 66) was built between 2016 and 2021. These ships are five metres longer than their predecessors, measuring 33.65 metres, and are powered by diesel-electric hybrid motors. Another ferry seen in the video is number 55, operating on line F4, which was built in 2010.
Thanks to a simple but effective system of painted zones, disembarking and boarding run smoothly. Passengers generally respect the red zone for disembarking intuitively and wait in the green areas, meaning only a few signs are needed.
Unfortunately, not everyone follows the system. In this instance, two women stand in the middle of the red zone as a ferry approaches, …
With more and more houses being built on both sides of the River IJ, it is essential for Amsterdam to improve its connections. There is now finally funding set aside for two bridges. The first, called the East Bridge (Oostbrug), is expected to be built around 2031 and opened in 2034. The second, the West Bridge (Westbrug), is currently in the planning phase and could be ready by 2040.
Two possible designs for the new East Bridge. While the location has been decided, the final design is still under consideration.
A visualisation of the West Bridge concept. This rendering represents a possible design, but no final decisions have been made yet.
The ferry services will also be expanded. According to the city of Amsterdam’s website: “We are expanding ferry traffic across the River IJ because the ferries are getting busier. All the new ferries we build will run on electric power. These ferries will be quieter and will not emit exhaust fumes, helping to keep the air cleaner. The first electric ferries will start sailing to and from the IJplein in 2026. The next line to be made more sustainable is the Buiksloterweg ferry.”
The bridges will not completely replace the ferries, but the number of routes will change. Amsterdam has stated: “The ferries will continue to operate even once the bridges are built because we need several connections across the IJ. We expect that by 2030, we will need four more ferries on the IJ than we have now. We will also adapt some of the smaller ferries, allowing almost 60 more passengers per trip. The East Bridge will replace the ferry that now sails from Azartplein to Zamenhofstraat, and after the West Bridge is built, the ferry between NDSM and Pontsteiger will no longer be necessary.”
The ferries must carefully sail around numerous passing ships. The IJ is a bustling river and a crucial shipping route, which sometimes leads to delays in the 4-minute ferry schedule.
For at least a few more years, ferries will remain the only option to cross the river by foot or bicycle. The enormous numbers of passengers and the smooth operations of the ferry services are really impressive to witness and I am not the only one to think so. Enjoy my new video!
BICYCLE DUTCH 