Weblog Joost – Skipper can I sail over? Does the ferry still exist?

At the end of November of this year I used a ferry for the last time by car. On my way to a family lunch in Macharen, I took the ferry from Maasbommel to Megen on a Sunday. You know how it goes: you set the navigation and you see what’s coming. In this case we were sent into the meadows at Tiel and it became increasingly clear that we were going to sail a bit. Nice, something different than straight on the highway.

Ferry in the Netherlands: variation

There are in the Netherlands and Belgium 403 ferries and ferries, the vast majority (160) of which are propelled by a motor, 18 are electric – possibly powered by solar energy. Of all these ferries and ferries, there are 72 that (also) take cars. This number includes three sailing to England and one leaving for Norway. The ferries that sail to and between the Wadden Islands of Texel, Vlieland and Ameland are also included in the list. The vast majority of ferries transfer pedestrians, cyclists or scooters. Its size varies from a serious boat to a kind of pontoon with a gate and a rope where you have to pull the ferry to the other side (or towards you) yourself.

I was thinking about this when I waited in the car with my wife for the ferry to arrive at Maasbommel on our side. Because in my younger years we usually liked to use the ferry across the IJssel in Dieren by bike. It could also take a few cars, a maximum of three average cars or four small ones. However, for a crossing of the Fiat 500 Club during a ride could take ten. The ferry from Groot-Ammers near Schoonhoven is well known by car. This is clearly larger than that at Dieren and also plays an important role in the region. On our route between East Brabant and family in Ouderkerk aan de IJssel, we always took it: off the highway at Gorinchem, onto the provincial roads and halfway, the ferry suddenly loomed over the river. That was always a moment to look forward to.

Ferry saves detour

Later I ended up at the ferry between Alem and Maren-Kessel when one evening the A2 was completely jammed (and I hardly had any change with me, but luckily that was no longer necessary, the ferryman was also equipped with a cash machine in the meantime). And now the ferry at Maasbommel. And those ferries are valuable, if you look at it. The website of the ferry at Culemborg describes the benefits below that you can save more than 8 km (about 25 km). if you go to Utrecht – that’s still 85 km with daily commute during the week. Where you could have to deal with traffic jams on the A2 and A27 if you ignore the ferry. The three ferries that take cars across the North Sea Canal 24 hours a day also spare commuters a long detour and help to reduce congestion on the motorways there. And trucks must take these if they are high or have loaded hazardous substances: they are not allowed through the Velsertunnel. That’s worth it anyway. Another time, a ferry formed an essential part and landmark of a puzzle ride with the Mercedes SLK club. The trump card at that time was certainly also the option to get a cup of coffee in the café located next to the slope.

Why is it that these useful boats often perform their useful service in the shadow of the fast world? Strangely enough, usage figures of especially the smaller ferries are hard to find. And over time it becomes all guesswork. But if I enter some routes (for example the route to Macharen, the ride from my childhood to Ouderkerk aan den IJssel or the commute from Culemborg to Utrecht) on the maps of TomTom or Google Maps, then the first option (often with a big detour) over highways and therefore fixed bridges. And that explains why they sometimes literally fall out of the picture! And that is actually quite a pity.

But what is the long-term fate of the ferry? Are they doomed to continue playing a second-row role, especially the ferries that transfer their passengers daily across the rivers? Or will they mainly be recreational objects and will they only remain available to pedestrians and cyclists during the week? Because they play a major role in daily connections. When I go to the office in Amsterdam by bike, I often take the ferry from Nigtevecht and always meet commuters there who also avoid traffic jams and parking challenges with traditional bicycles or fancy e-bikes and get their exercise right away. And so there are many more connections. But do we really think it’s that important with the car to have a calculable, down to the minute predictable travel time? Or do you take the liberty to drive indoors more often, especially in the summer, and ask the skipper to take you to the other side? And… you help to reduce the traffic on the roads!