Security for Waterbus: retaining the busiest lines after provincial decision

The Waterbus can continue to operate. The impending bankruptcy has been averted after the Provincial States of South Holland addressed a proposal on September 24 to keep lines 20 and 22 running. This saves public transport on water in the Rotterdam region and the Drechtsteden for 90% of travelers.

For some time, the future of the Waterbus was uncertain. Due to sharply rising costs and a slow recovery after the corona pandemic, carrier Aqualiner incurred millions in losses. To prevent bankruptcy, a plan was devised to retain the Waterbus for as many of the 1.3 million annual travelers as possible.

Most used lines saved

To save the Waterbus, the provincial government and the carrier proposed to fully retain line 20 (Dordrecht-Rotterdam) and line 22 (Papendrecht-Dordrecht-Zwijndrecht). These are the two lines that more than 90% of Waterbus travelers use. Line 21 (Rotterdam-Kinderdijk), which is mainly used by tourists in the summer, will continue as a commercial connection. This allows the carrier to focus on the times when there are many travelers. And residents of Kinderdijk can still travel for the current public transport fare. Line 23 (Dordrecht-Sliedrecht) will be discontinued, as very few people use it due to competition from good bus, train, and cycling connections on this route.

The Provincial States also voted to investigate the expansion of the existing bus network and additional shared bicycles in the region. The outcome of these investigations will be shared in early 2026.

Only option

Earlier this year, the province of South Holland invested an additional 3.1 million euros in the Waterbus, allowing enough time to research the best solution. Together with previous investments, the province reached the maximum amount it is legally allowed to contribute. Thus, discontinuing line 23 and changing line 21 was the only option to help as many travelers as possible.

Provincial executive Frederik Zevenbergen (mobility) regrets that this solution is necessary but is pleased that the Waterbus has been saved: “It is the most beautiful form of public transport there is, but also an expensive one. Even though it means we have to make painful choices, it is very nice that the Waterbus can continue to exist for more than a million travelers.”