"Danuta" and "Elżbieta" on the water. Free ferry service launches in Gdańsk

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, Żegluga Gdańska launched the long-awaited free ferry service across the Martwa Wisła. The ferry operates between Przeróbka and Śródmieście, near the closed Siennicki Bridge, which is currently undergoing modernization.

tricity news

25 january 2025   |   09:09   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Piotr Wittman / gdansk.pl

The ferry service will operate daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The first trip departs from the "Nabrzeże Krakowskie" stop at 6:00 AM, and the last at 9:30 PM. Similarly, trips from the "Nabrzeże Flisaków" stop begin at 6:15 AM and end at 9:45 PM. This schedule allows residents and tourists to conveniently plan their journeys.

The ferry can accommodate approximately 150 passengers and 10 bicycles at the same time. Foldable scooters are also permitted on board. However, Mevo bicycles, due to their design, cannot be transported. To compensate, Mevo bike stations will be installed on both sides of the Martwa Wisła, near the ferry stops, facilitating continued travel.

Captain Jerzy Latała, President of Żegluga Gdańska, emphasized that launching the service was a complex logistical undertaking.

– The ferry Danuta was carefully prepared to meet high safety and comfort standards. We also introduced solutions to facilitate travel for those with bicycles or other personal transport devices - noted Jerzy Latała, as quoted by the city’s portal gdansk.pl.

Additionally, a free bus line, 911, has been launched, operating on the route Przeróbka – Stogi – Górki Zachodnie. This provides vital support for passengers using the new ferry service.

The ferry will operate until the modernization of the Siennicki Bridge is completed, which is expected to take at least 2.5 years. This initiative is crucial to ensuring smooth transportation in Gdańsk, especially for residents of neighborhoods on both sides of the Martwa Wisła, who have faced isolation due to the bridge's closure.

Detailed ferry schedules and additional information are available on the official website of the City of Gdańsk. Thanks to Żegluga Gdańska's efforts, residents can count on efficient and safe water connections. The ferries Danuta and Elżbieta are once again proving their role in the city's daily life, connecting people and supporting the local community in the face of transportation challenges. This also raises the question of whether the city should revisit the idea of rebuilding and strengthening its white fleet.

A water alternative to congested roads and municipal neglect

Gdańsk, a city with deep maritime traditions, has paradoxically turned away from water in its daily transportation. The white fleet, once a symbol of the maritime character of the city and the Tricity area, has practically ceased to exist as a viable transport alternative. Meanwhile, traffic congestion, overloaded public transport, and constant delays in infrastructure investments highlight the need for efficient water-based connections.

Consider the potential of the Martwa Wisła, the Motława, or the waterways connecting Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot with Hel, Puck, and other towns on the Hel Peninsula. Regular ferry or catamaran services could not only ease road congestion but also offer a fast and eco-friendly means of transport. These connections, especially during the tourist season, could streamline travel between the Tricity cities and improve daily commutes for residents. They could also enhance the region's appeal due to its tourist-friendly nature.

The issue lies not in a lack of possibilities but in a lack of vision. Municipal neglect and mediocrity have led to a situation where water routes remain underutilized, while residents remain stuck in road traffic. It is absurd that a city with such an extensive water network does not see its potential to meet everyday needs.

In an era where ecology, sustainability, and alternative transportation are priorities, Gdańsk could become a leader in water transport. Regular services across the waters of the Bay of Gdańsk and Puck Bay, coordinated with other transport modes, would not only improve the quality of life for Pomerania’s residents but also strengthen the city’s image as an innovative and sustainable urban center.

It is time for Gdańsk to stop being a city of untapped potential and remember that water is not an obstacle but an opportunity.

żegluga gdańska most siennicki gdańsk biała flota prom w gdańsku

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