For several months now, the Antwerp Waterbus has stopped its 8 a.m. shuttle service to from Kruibeke to Antwerp, causing a lot of resentment among commuters. By canceling the 08:10 a.m. ferry, people are forced to take the early-morning 07:40 a.m. boat, but sometimes, the ferry is overcrowded, and passengers cannot board.

That is why Municipal Councilor René Vermeulen (SamenVoorKruibeke) wants to increase the pressure and restore the morning connection. Earlier – in May 2023 – Alderman for Mobility Dimitri Van Laere (N-VA) sent a letter to the Waterbus management “to express our dissatisfaction”. He also asked why this decision was made, and whether it was possible to restore the morning connection.”

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In its reaction, the Waterbus management refers to the shortage of nautical personnel and the lack of new exams for skippers and sailors the government needs to install. Since full service cannot be guaranteed, the company has temporarily canceled the morning connection. On top of that, several vessels suffered damage and needed to be repaired.

However, the Waterbus is very popular. Last year, no fewer than 70 264 passengers boarded in Kruibeke. That is about 8% more than the previous year and, therefore, the best year ever. Remarkable is that one in three passengers takes a bicycle on board, which means that many Antwerp citizens are engaging with mobility in a new way.

2,5 millionth passenger

The Waterbus was launched in 2017 on the initiative of – and with funds from – the Port of Antwerp. At the time, it involved two barges. Since then, it has been scaled up to six that sail up and down the Scheldt in the Antwerp region, with eight stops from Hemiksen south of the city to Lilo in the port area. There are daily trips, and the bus is also available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Every thirty minutes, there is a vessel in both directions.

In November 2021, the Antwerp Waterbus honored its two millionth passenger, and nine months later, in August 2022, the 29-year-old Anna Roza Holvoet – the 2,5 millionth passenger – was treated like a queen. She received a one-year subscription worth 658 euros.