IJtunnel closed to cyclists, pedestrians

Amsterdam will close the IJtunnel to cyclists, pedestrians and microcars on Wednesday, September 9, during a nationwide 24-hour public transport strike, according to the municipality and local transit operator GVB. The restriction affects one of the main links between Amsterdam Noord and the city center at a time when buses, trams, metros and most ferries are also set to stop running. GVB said unions FNV and CNV had announced the strike and that it could not guarantee safe and reliable service that day. The strike is scheduled to end in the night of September 9 to September 10, with some services resuming after midnight. ### Why is the IJtunnel being shut to cyclists and pedestrians if public transport is already down? The Municipality of Amsterdam said the tunnel will be closed to non-motorized traffic for safety reasons during the strike, according to reporting by NL Times. The concern is that a shutdown of public transport would push larger numbers of cyclists and pedestrians toward the tunnel than it can safely handle. (nltimes.nl) Elise Moeskops, Amsterdam’s traffic alderman, said a similar measure in 2019 led to eight accidents when the city opened one tunnel tube to bicycle traffic during a public transport strike, NL Times reported. That earlier experience is now being used by the city as the main public explanation for the September 9 restriction. (nltimes.nl) ### Which services are expected to stop on September 9? GVB said on its website that from 04:00 on Wednesday, September 9, buses, trams, metros and ferries will not run because of the national strike. The operator said the expected participation level means it cannot provide safe and reliable service. The operator said the last runs before the shutdown include the night buses N85 and N87 and the Noordzeekanaal ferries and IJ ferry F3, with final crossings around 04:00. (nltimes.nl) GVB also said its Service & Tickets locations will be closed that day. ### What options will remain for people trying to cross between Amsterdam Noord and the center? GVB said the Buiksloterweg ferry route, identified as IJ ferry F3 on its site, is among the services affected during the strike, with crossings stopping around 04:00 on September 9. (gvb.nl) That means travelers who normally rely on the tunnel or the city ferries may need to use longer detours once the shutdown begins. (gvb.nl) Amsterdam’s advice, as reported by NL Times, is for commuters to use ferries where available or take longer alternative routes. The IJtunnel is a key crossing under the IJ waterway, and Amsterdam’s own open data identifies it as one of the city’s named tunnels. ### Who called the strike, and what is it about? (gvb.nl) FNV and CNV announced the nationwide 24-hour public transport strike for September 9, GVB said on its Dutch-language homepage. NL Times separately reported that the action will go ahead despite cabinet concessions on parts of a broader Dutch benefits reform package. Hans Spekman, chairman of FNV, said, “Our ultimatum has not been met. That is why the actions will proceed,” according to NL Times. (nltimes.nl) The same report said the government had dropped plans to reduce some benefit payments and to accelerate an increase in the state pension age, while delaying other reforms by a year. (gvb.nl) ### When will normal service return? GVB said the strike will end during the night of September 9 to September 10. From 00:30 on Thursday, September 10, the Noordzeekanaal ferries, IJ ferry F3 and night buses N85 and N87 are due to resume, the operator said. Thursday morning, September 10, is when the other IJ ferries, buses, trams and metros are scheduled to return to their normal timetable, according to GVB. (nltimes.nl) Travelers can check GVB’s disruptions and journey-planner pages for updated service information as the strike approaches. (gvb.nl)