New waterbus service in Barcelona connects Rambla with Barceloneta

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Last week, the new waterbus service was launched in the old port of Barcelona. This ferry service provides a quicker connection between the city centre and the popular Barceloneta neighbourhood.

The long-anticipated waterbus that links the Drassanes quay (at the end of the Rambla) with the Barceloneta pier (near the W-hotel) is now operational. Last Wednesday, the Port Authority of Barcelona introduced two electric catamarans managed by the transport company Alsa. These boats connect the city centre with the Barceloneta district, bringing residents and visitors closer to the popular Nova Bocana harbour area.

Reducing summer congestion

The new waterbus service offers a direct connection primarily aimed at easing congestion in Barceloneta during the summer. The port provides a shorter sea route to Nova Bocana, one of the city’s newest attractions. This service allows people travelling from Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla to Barceloneta to avoid the crowded pedestrian routes along Passeig de Colom and Passeig de Joan de Borbó. These routes through Barceloneta become overcrowded at the start of the summer season, and regular buses are often full. The new ferry service offers a practical and efficient solution for city mobility.

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Sustainable and affordable

The journey takes approximately 10 minutes, and the two electric waterbuses have capacities of 56 and 84 passengers, respectively. Both catamarans run on solar power and electricity and can operate for eight hours continuously. The service is available from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, and a one-way ticket costs €1.90. “It costs less than the regular bus,” emphasised David Pino, director of the Port Vell area, during the presentation. He added that there has been discussion about establishing this service for over 15 years.

Easing traffic congestion

Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, also attended the presentation. He highlighted that this new service benefits the residents of Barceloneta by “easing traffic in the neighbourhood.” He also mentioned that the project is intrinsically linked to the transformation of the Ciutat Vella district. According to him, the waterbus is “nothing more than an extension” of the ongoing work on La Rambla and Via Laietana.

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