Bodensee ferry Euregia hires operation: What does that mean for commuters?

Von WOM

In Lake Constance there are changes that affect the ferry connections between Germany and Switzerland. The “Euregia” engine, which has been operating the route between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn since July 1996, will be decommissioned on Saturday, November 16. This was announced in an official press release by the two ferry companies, Deutsche Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH (BSB) and Swiss Bodensee-Schiffahrt AG (SBS).

Immediate reason for decommissioning are the high investments that would be necessary to maintain the company. The two managing directors, Frank Weber and Benno Gmür, emphasize that the operation of the "Euregia" is no longer economically portable, especially due to lower passenger numbers in the winter months. "The ferry often drives almost empty," explains Weber.

Changes in timetable

From November 16, a two-hour cycle will apply to the remaining ferries, which will be held by March 15, 2025. In previously maintenance -related still stands, technical problems on the ferry reduced the clock to two hours in previous years, which is now being implemented as a fixed timetable.

For pedestrians and cyclists, however, the usual hourly time remains thanks to a replacement ship, so that the connection is not impaired. These adaptation measures are necessary because the engine rods "Friedrichshafen" and "Romanshorn" have to be maintained during the winter.

Detouration of transport demand

Another aspect that contributes to the deactivation of the "Euregia" is the decline in truck transports. In the past, the ferries were heavily frequented to meet the increase in demand. However, this demand decreased with the cancellation of the 28-ton weight limit in Switzerland. In addition, the expansion of the motorway connections favored motorized traffic, which means that fewer transport vehicles were dependent on the ferry.

Gmür emphasizes that profitability decreases even further, since the "Euregia" has a higher diesel fuel consumption than the new, smaller ferries. The availability of spare parts has also deteriorated, which affects the reliability of the ship. According to the GMU, the costs of comprehensive renovation would be over 2.5 million francs, which would present the own businesses with further challenges.

In addition, it is checked whether the "Euregia" after the fulfillment of existing charter contracts in 2025 will be used in another form or whether it is finally dismantled. To this end, the Canton of Thurgau and the Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg are working on a study that should provide recommendations for future ferry connections.

However, there is a ray of hope: The party boat "King Karla", which also runs on the "Euregia", will remain in use until at least 2025, as Andreas Karlinger, a responsible person in corporate management. This could be an interesting way to use the ship, even after the ferry operation has been set.