In a move that has caused frustration among several councillors in the surrounding cities, the city of Amsterdam has suggested that drivers travelling to the Dutch capital use free parking in nearby municipalities such as Haarlem or Almere. 

Amsterdam visitors told to park in surrounding areas

With extreme traffic congestion expected around Amsterdam this year and the decreasing parking availability, the city has turned towards other municipalities to solve its problems. On the city’s website, P+R (Park and Ride) locations are given where drivers can find free parking. However, several of them are outside the city, while parking in the centre of Amsterdam will cost drivers 7,76 euros per hour.

The city of Amsterdam suggests parking in Haarlem, Hoorn, Almere, Sassenheim, Nieuw-Vennep and Muiden. From these parking spots, the municipality wants travellers to use public transport to get to the city.

Parking outside of Amsterdam is part of the city’s vision to “intercept car visitors earlier in their journey to the city”, according to a spokesperson for the traffic alderman Melanie van der Horst. 

Amsterdam traffic could put pressure on other Dutch cities

Several councillors of the Dutch cities and towns where Amsterdam proposes parking are not enthusiastic about the idea. "The parking pressure at the P+R in Spaarnwoude is currently high and that is mainly intended to relieve pressure on the city centre of Haarlem," a spokesperson for the Haarlem municipality told AT5.

Several parking areas in Amsterdam have been closed recently to make way for new housing. While the city is trying to solve their traffic problems with this new scheme, many see the situation as the municipality forcing its parking problems on surrounding cities.

Councillors in Sassenheim are also against the parking in their city being used. “Sassenheim’s car park is meant for commuters,” local D66 councillor Ruben Kroeze told De Telegraaf. "In 2019, an investigation was already conducted into improper use of the P+R Station by holidaymakers who can park their cars there for free. Various political parties are discussing parking regulations. The parking capacity is therefore already limited." It would take visitors around 35 minutes to travel from Sassenheim to Amsterdam Centraal Station via public transport.

On the other hand, the measures have gotten some support from the Haarlemmermeer traffic alderman, Marja Ruigrok. "Ultimately, you want people far outside the ring to switch to another means of transport."