On August 17th, our subsidiary Blidösundsbolaget started running the new commuter boat line between Rindö-Vaxholm-Stockholm in the archipelago of the Swedish capital. The commuter boat is part of the local public transit network as line 83 and will be tested for two years with the possibility of extension. The new line will create faster and denser maritime traffic from Vaxholm into the central parts of Stockholm.
There are two lines in the timetable for line 83. A high-speed line, L83X, which makes fewer stops between Vaxholm and Stockholm and therefore has a faster travel time, and L83, which serves all jetties the Vaxholm shuttle has previously stopped at. The journey with L83X takes 55 min. L83 takes 1 h 15 min. The new commuter boat line 83 is part of the local transit network and passengers can therefore travel with all existing tickets.
The line itself is not really new but has been developed for the most part during the years 1869-1940. The news is that we are introducing a new high-speed line, increasing the frequency and that both lines L83 and L83X will now be part of the local transit network traffic and included in the tariff, which will offer better commuting opportunities for those who live in Vaxholm and work in the city. A clear example of how we can connect archipelago traffic to the rest of public transit and make it easier for residents of the Stockholm Region to travel by public transport
Peter Fyrby, CEO of Blidösundsbolaget
The traffic is mainly performed by ships in the V-boat series; Värmdö, Vånö, Väddö, Viberö and Vaxö. The vessels have a capacity of 340 passengers, of which 180 are seated. It is also possible to bring a bicycle on board. In order to reduce the risk of the spread of infection, we will apply the same principle as in other archipelago traffic, which means that we only operate with a 50% occupancy of available indoor seats, as well as 50% of what the vessel certificate allows.
Corona-adapted premiere day
Gustav Hemming, Archipelago Regional Council with responsibility for Maritime Traffic in the Stockholm Region; Michaela Haga, Chair of the Swedish Transportation Administration’s Maritime Traffic Committee, Stockholm Region; Malin Forsbrand, Chair of the Municipal Board in Vaxholm and Peter Fyrby, CEO of Blidösundsbolaget were on hand to draw attention to the new commuter boat line and answer questions from the press.
It was a stripped-down event with COVID-19 in mind, but it was important for all parties to meet on the quay in Vaxholm today to celebrate the great collaboration we have together and draw attention to the historically strong investment with many new trips between Vaxholm and Stockholm during the low season. It is also important for us to have a good relationship with both Gustav and Malin, who are two politicians who have long fought for the commuter boat traffic in the Stockholm Region to be developed. Finally, I would like to extend a special thank you to all my employees who have been involved in this project and have done a fantastic job. With this new line, we are expanding our assignment towards the Swedish Transport Administration, which leads to a better result
Peter Fyrby, CEO of Blidösundsbolaget
A long-term development of the shuttle boat traffic in Stockholm
The start of line 83 is part of a larger expansion of the commuter boat traffic that is underway in the Stockholm region. In 2011, line 80 started between Lidingö-Nacka-Stockholm, also called « Sjövägen ». Since the start, the number of passengers has increased steadily and more have discovered the benefits of taking the boat to work, school or leisure activities. In 2019, almost 1.4 million passengers traveled on line 80. An increase of 22.5% from the previous year.
In 2016, the commuter boat line 89 between Klara Mälarstrand and Ekerö started on a trial basis. The line became permanent in 2018 and Blidösundsbolaget took over the traffic on the line the same year. During the autumn of 2018, traffic increased sharply with both evening and weekend traffic and summer traffic in 2019. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of passengers. In 2019, 169,526 people traveled with the line. That is 121% more passengers in 2019, compared to 2018.
The next test line will start between Värmdö and Stockholm in 2022.