The water taxi challenge

Watertaxi Rotterdam forms an integral part of the city's mobility system, partly thanks to our extensive Watertaxi Operations System (WOS). WOS is the complete ICT solution to run a water taxi and ferry business. Therefore, it's no surprise that entrepreneurs from around the world are interested in using WOS to start services in other cities. One of these interested parties was Elbtaxi from Hamburg. They wanted to know if a water taxi service on the Elbe could be feasible and approached us for a thorough investigation. We could dive into all aspects of this question, thanks to a DHI government grant for feasibility studies of Dutch technology abroad.

A practical approach

We believe in practical solutions. While we’re skilled in software, we know that sometimes the best insights come from getting out in the field. We started by working with Elbtaxi, using a simple map and pencils to explore business opportunities in Hamburg. We also made several visits to Hamburg to understand the local conditions, focusing on passenger streams, demand, local tides, and the suitability of existing jetties. By combining our technical know-how with Elbtaxi’s local knowledge, we identified key locations and opportunities to kick-start the service.

Analysing different business scenarios

‍To see if the Elbtaxi service could be profitable, we analysed existing anonymous data from water taxi services. We focused on key performance indicators (KPIs) that influence the efficiency of the network and the use of the fleet. With this data, we built a model that calculated how far the boats would travel and how many would be needed based on the expected bookings. This allowed us to estimate costs and potential revenue, giving us a clear picture of the business case under different scenarios.

We also used this model to test various pricing strategies aimed at maximizing business viability. This analysis helped us find the right balance between offering an attractive service to customers and ensuring a profitable operation for Elbtaxi. Our findings led Elbtaxi to conclude that a water taxi service could be a valuable addition to Hamburg’s public transport system and could be run profitably with the recommended approach and our IT solutions.

Easy roll-out of our Watertaxi Operations System

‍During the project, we also simplified the architecture of our Watertaxi Operations System (WOS), so that it can be easily copied and set up in other cities. This means we can now quickly and efficiently launch a new water taxi operation system for Elbtaxi—or any other city—without starting from scratch. The system is also easy to scale, making it adaptable for expansion as the service grows.

Additionally, the system is fully customizable to meet the needs of any city, ensuring it fits local conditions and regulations. With our streamlined setup, operations can be launched on the water within a few weeks after the initial idea.

If you’re thinking about starting a water taxi service in your city, our practical approach and reliable software can help you get there. Contact us using the form below to see a demo and discuss how we can help you get started.

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