The crowds on the Nieuwe Maas in the center of Rotterdam require more management and professionalization.
Rotterdam water taxis, a popular and iconic form of transportation in the city, are currently in the spotlight, but for the wrong reasons. Recent research by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) has shown that the safety of passengers on board these fast boats is not sufficiently guaranteed. This worrying conclusion follows an incident in the summer of 2022, in which a water taxi collided with a tour boat. Two passengers were injured in this incident.
The water taxis in Rotterdam are an essential part of the public transport network in the city and offer a unique way to cross the Maas. They are popular with locals and tourists alike, thanks to their speed and the ease with which they connect different parts of the city. However, these recent developments cast a shadow over the service.
The harbor tour boat Marco Polo and the fast water taxi MSTX 21 collided with each other on the Nieuwe Maas near the Erasmus Bridge in the center of Rotterdam on July 2022, 13.00 around 21 p.m.
The skipper and 5 passengers of the water taxi ended up in an air bubble under the capsized water taxi. After 9 minutes, thanks to the help of another water taxi, they were able to get out of the water taxi from the back. The collision between the water taxi and the tour boat has exposed the vulnerabilities in the system. The OVV's findings suggest that stricter regulations and supervision are needed to ensure passenger safety. The incident highlights the need for better compliance with boating regulations and possibly a revision of operational procedures for water taxis.
"Together with involved parties, such as Watertaxi Rotterdam, Koninklijke Spido and Waterbus, take measures to reduce the complexity of the waterway on the Nieuwe Maas and organize it in a way that ensures safe use, both now and in the future. "
These concerns come at a time when Rotterdam, like many other cities, is striving for more sustainable and safer urban mobility. The water taxi, as an emission-free and efficient means of transport, plays a crucial role in this. The city now faces the challenge of improving the safety of this service without compromising its efficiency and popularity. The Dutch Safety Board comes up with: recommendations following the collision of a water taxi with a harbor tour boat.
This situation also raises questions about the broader safety standards within the public water transport sector in the Netherlands. The incident in Rotterdam could serve as a wake-up call for other cities with similar services. It emphasizes the importance of continuously evaluating and improving safety protocols, not just for water taxis, but for all forms of public transportation.
Pending further actions and responses from the relevant authorities and operators, passenger safety in water taxis remains an important concern. For a city known for its innovative and progressive approach to urban mobility, it is crucial that Rotterdam tackles this issue with due seriousness. The future of water taxis in Rotterdam and their role in the urban transport network depends on the steps taken now to ensure passenger safety.
