The waterbus between Brussels and Vilvoorde carried 45 535 passengers in 2022. This reports the operator Rivertours, which has been offering waterbus trips since 2013. The figures are more than a five-fold increase compared to the launch year.

Because the boats’ capacity was limited during the corona years of 2020 and 2021, comparison with those years is difficult. However, the number of visitors in 2022 surpassed 2019, when 43 900 passengers were counted.

In the early days, the waterbus only operated on Tuesdays and Thursdays, carrying around 8 000 people in 2013. A year later, Wednesdays were added to the schedule, and since 2017 it has been running every weekday between 1 May and 31 October. During the summer months, there are also trips on weekends.

Stress-free alternative

The waterbus leaves from the Steenkaai in Vilvoorde to the Akenkaai/Quai des Péniches in Brussels. The journey takes about an hour, including a few stops. Those who wish can have breakfast on board, read the newspaper or hold meetings. Bicycles can always be taken on board the Waterbus.

For the Alderman for Tourism in Vilvoorde, Tine Paredis, the waterbus is “a real added value for tourism”. “Many people take their bikes on the boat and pedal back.” The plan is to gradually increase the number of stops, sailing period, sailing routes per day, and boat capacity.

According to Brussels news site BRUZZ, the organization plans to purchase a second boat, to allow one waterbus per hour to operate along the 10-km stretch.