The Waterbus in Zuid-Holland is saved as Provincial States agree to remove the two least used lines. Lines 20 (Rotterdam – Dordrecht) and 22 (Dordrecht – Papendrecht – Zwijndrecht) will continue to operate.
- Waterbus in Zuid-Holland is saved now.
- Lines 20 and 22 will remain operational.
- Line 23 (Dordrecht-Sliedrecht) will completely disappear.
- New schedule starts on 6 October.
- Aqualiner faces financial difficulties since the pandemic.
- Waterbus carries approximately 1.3 million passengers annually.
Line 21 (Rotterdam-Kinderdijk) will remain operational as a commercial boat, exiting the public transport offerings. Residents of Kinderdijk can still use this service at public transport rates. Line 21 is primarily utilized by tourists and day-trippers in the summer.
The removal of lines is necessary to prevent the bankruptcy of operator Aqualiner, which has faced millions in losses since the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year, the province invested 3.1 million euros in the Waterbus to maintain services, reaching the maximum allowed financial support.
“Het is de mooiste vorm van openbaar vervoer die er is, maar ook een dure vorm,”
— Gedeputeerde Frederik Zevenbergen
The Waterbus transports approximately 1.3 million passengers annually, with over 90 percent using lines 20 and 22, which will remain. The new schedule for the Waterbus will begin on 6 October.
Originally reported by www.treinreiziger.nl as “Waterbus gered met schrappen van twee lijnen” on 2025-09-24 16:17:00.
