Brussels-Vilvoorde waterbus back for the summer

A waterbus service linking Vilvoorde with Place Sainctelette in Brussels resumes on 1 May for its sixth summer season, with an ambition to attract 40,000 passengers this year and eventually break into the commuter market.

For the first time this year, the boat will ply the canal every weekday from 9.00 to 18.00. It will also run seven days a week in the summer holidays.

The 10km journey takes about an hour and costs €3, with two intermediate stops at Quai de Hembeek and Van Praet, for Docks Bruxsel shopping centre.

The sixth season was launched on Sunday with a party on Steenkaai in Vilvoorde featuring food trucks, live music and short cruises on board the Vivaldi, which last year carried 32,000 passengers.

"We'd like to acquire a second boat and offer a better timetable," said Catherine Demol from the non-profit association Brussels By Water, which runs the canal-bus service.

Demol said using faster and smaller boats - similar to the water-bus service in Rotterdam - could make it a viable transport option for commuters who live north of the city and work downtown.