Waterbus for Konstanz: Revolution in city transport from 2026!

Waterbus for Konstanz: Revolution in city transport from 2026!

Something is happening in Konstanz! The city is planning to introduce a water bus that will bring welcome relief to traffic in the old town. There are often traffic jams, especially on weekends and during Advent, which not only hinder bus traffic but also emergency services. The introduction of this water bus could therefore be a real relief for many. The local council will vote on the project on June 26th, and if everything goes well, the water bus could be operational as early as early 2026 n-tv reported.

The city has set itself an ambitious goal with the water bus and is planning a half-hour shuttle service from Friday to Sunday that will complement the existing city bus. A central entry point will be set up at the Europa Bridge, where the water bus can intercept traffic at an early stage. Given the existing challenges in the Old Town, this could provide a practical alternative for many commuters and visitors.

Sustainable transport future

A group of experts sees this concept as a future-oriented solution for relieving traffic. The water bus is part of a larger master plan that addresses alternative forms of transport in Konstanz and focuses on water as a transport route. There was already a water bus in the past, but it had to be discontinued due to financial reasons. Now it is believed that the idea is popular again because it is well thought out and fits the city's mobility strategy weekly paper reported.

An important part of the project is the new jetty, which will be extended by eleven meters so that access can be reached safely even when the water level is low. The construction costs for this jetty amount to around 580,000 euros, which is higher than originally planned. This is due to the nature protection coordination and plan changes that were necessary to ensure that operations were carried out responsibly. Fish ecological measures and extensive monitoring programs to check the effects on protected shallow water zones must also be taken into account.

From idea to reality

In order to get the concept off the ground, a complex water law process is first required. A trial operation with the motor ship “Reichenau” will run until mid-September, providing a connection between the Lake Constance Forum and the port on Saturdays. A cheaper tariff that includes the fee for parking spaces on the right bank of the Rhine could also increase the attractiveness of the water bus.

For the future, those responsible are even planning year-round operation with two ships, although studies on suitable watercraft are already in progress. The vision is a daily connection every 15 minutes using electric ships. All of this will be part of the new Seerhein mobile point, which is to be built on the northern bridgehead.

Overall, it can be said: With the water bus, Konstanz has a promising project in the pipeline that could not only relieve traffic, but also bring environmental concerns to the fore. A good hand and the will to implement could be crucial to making this vision a reality.