{"id":5583,"date":"2026-07-09T12:43:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.bureaurotterdam.nl\/verhaal\/rapid-digital-developments-water-taxis\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T14:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T12:20:03","slug":"the-water-taxi-is-a-rotterdam-attraction-like-no-other","status":"publish","type":"verhaal","link":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.nl\/en\/stories\/the-water-taxi-is-a-rotterdam-attraction-like-no-other\/","title":{"rendered":"The water taxi is a Rotterdam attraction like no other"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”782656″]Nowhere in Europe do water taxis run quite like they do in Rotterdam. The yellow-black speedboats have become an indispensable part of the Maas. With 50 stops along the river and in the harbours, they carry 700,000 passengers across the water every year. For visitors and Rotterdammers alike, the water taxis are a beloved attraction.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]

A ride with Watertaxi Rotterdam is more than just getting from A to B, it\u2019s an experience.<br \/>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_single_image media=”12221″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”495127″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”779305″]<\/p>\n

A unique way to see the city<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A ride with Watertaxi Rotterdam<\/a> is more than just getting from A to B, it\u2019s an experience. From the water, you get a perspective on the city like no other, with unbeatable views of the historic harbour and the skyline.<\/p>\n

As well as the yellow-black speedboats you can hail for a quick crossing, there are also classic wooden ferries. These run on a fixed schedule, making a leisurely crossing of the Maas. And for those who want even more: the water taxis can also be booked for sightseeing tours and special occasions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”623707″]<\/p>\n

Hotel New York<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What began as a modest initiative by Hans Loos, Daan van der Have, and Dorine de Vos, the founders of Hotel New York<\/a>, grew into an icon of Rotterdam public transport. When the hotel opened in 1993, the first ferry service launched too, running between the Veerhaven and the Wilhelminapier.<\/p>\n

This is the same quay from which Holland-America Line passenger ships once departed, full of emigrants setting off for a new life. The water taxis still have their floating headquarters here on the Kop van Zuid, the Schippers Centrale Rotterdam.[\/vc_column_text]

At the helm are skippers who know a great deal about the buildings and vessels you pass along the way.<br \/>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”880383″]<\/p>\n

An attraction in its own right<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Today, twenty water taxis and ferries are in service, with 50 stopping points across Rotterdam and Schiedam. A trip on the classic ferries has become a genuine Rotterdam experience all by itself.<\/p>\n

The water taxis reach corners of the waterways in the inner city that other tour boats simply can\u2019t get to. At the helm are skippers who know a great deal about the history of the buildings and the vessels you pass along the way.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=”0″ row_padding=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”200507″][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/2″ uncode_shortcode_id=”992284″][vc_single_image media=”12222″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”335831″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image media=”12223″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”321858″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”117350″]<\/p>\n

An emission-free fleet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Watertaxi Rotterdam isn\u2019t standing still. With an ambitious sustainability policy, the company is working towards a fully emission-free fleet by 2030<\/a>. This aligns with Rotterdam\u2019s ambition to cut CO\u2082 emissions in half by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.<\/p>\n

Watertaxi Rotterdam is on course: by 2026, seven of the twenty boats will run on (green) electricity. And a partnership with Flying Fish<\/a>, specialists in maritime innovation, is driving further digitalisation.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”3719″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”590481″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”208301″]That digitalisation includes smart algorithms that optimise trips, a dedicated water taxi app for easy booking, and a sensor module that gives real-time insight into the location and capacity of each boat. The result is not only more efficient transport, but also minimised fuel consumption.[\/vc_column_text]

With an ambitious sustainability policy, the company is working towards a fully emission-free fleet by 2030.<br \/>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”130601″]<\/p>\n

A hydrogen water taxi<\/strong><\/h3>\n

And then there\u2019s the world first: the very first hydrogen-powered water taxi, developed on the RDM campus by zepp.solutions<\/a> from Delft. This groundbreaking vessel, recognisable by its blue stern, emits nothing harmful at all, only water. It\u2019s also quiet, compact, and quick to refuel, a major advantage over electric alternatives.[\/vc_column_text]

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