Multi-year subsidy for the Maasveren Foundation confirmed

The municipalities of Oss, West Maas en Waal, and Maasdriel have jointly pledged their support to the Maasveren Foundation. On Wednesday, November 13, the three aldermen involved, Sidney van den Bergh (Oss), Evert Jan Slootweg (West Maas en Waal), and Toine Nettebreijers (Maasdriel), and the director of the Maasveren Foundation (Lars Cleijne) officially announced the multi-year subsidy.

The Maas ferries are important for the region. They contribute to quality of life, accessibility, and mobility. There are often strong social ties between residents on both banks of the Maas and other parts of Brabant and Gelderland. Every day, the ferries transport schoolchildren and agricultural traffic, as well as tourists to restaurants and cafés on both banks. The ferries make business parks more accessible and thus contribute to improving the business climate. The ferries also contribute to sustainable and smart mobility solutions in the region.

The subsidy covers the current operating deficit, but the renewal and sustainability of the ferry fleet are still pending. That is why the foundation and the municipalities are calling on the provinces of Gelderland and North Brabant to take responsibility in this matter.

The Maasveren Foundation has an operating deficit. Over the next eight years, the municipalities will jointly contribute €600,000 to cover this deficit. The contribution is divided based on the number of ferry landings: Oss has five and will cover 50% of the costs. West Maas en Waal has four landings and will pay 40%, and Maasdriel, with one landing, will contribute 10%.

The foundation and the three municipalities are continuing discussions about the future of the ferry services. The provinces are also involved in these discussions, so that they can work together on a sustainable and future-proof solution.