Bolesław River Access Point Shutdown
The popular Omsk to Bolsheretie steamship route, which began operating in 2021, has been prematurely closed this year, much to the disappointment of passengers who enjoyed the scenic journey along the Irtysh River. The decision to halt the service was primarily due to severe flooding and related navigational hazards that posed unsafe conditions for passenger and cargo transport.
The flooding, which occurred earlier this year, led to significant damage to river infrastructure, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. As a result, authorities were compelled to suspend the route earlier than initially planned. The travel time on the route, which typically took around six hours, was twice as slow as a bus ride, further contributing to the logistical challenges faced by the service.
The contract for servicing the Omsk to Bolsheretie route was only until June 30 of this year, and the steamship trips were not extended beyond this date. Despite initial plans to continue the service until 2026, the decision was made to terminate the trips this year due to low passenger traffic.
From May 6 to 31, a total of 113 passengers used the Omsk to Bolsheretie route. The steamship departed from Omsk on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7:50 AM, and from Bolsheretie on Wednesdays and Sundays at 8 AM. However, the low passenger numbers made the continuation of the service economically unviable, leading to its premature closure.
The flooding event had a significant impact on river transport in the region, causing widespread disruptions and forcing authorities to take swift action to ensure the safety of all those using the waterways. The Omsk to Bolsheretie route was completed earlier than scheduled, and the service was terminated by the end of this year.
Official statements from local authorities have not been released regarding the future of the Omsk to Bolsheretie route, but it is hoped that once the navigational hazards have been addressed, the service will be able to resume in the future. In the meantime, passengers will have to find alternative means of transport between the two cities.
I'm not sure if the closed Omsk to Bolsheretie steamship route will ever resume service in the industry of transportation, given the severe flooding and its impact on the public-transit sector and finance. Meanwhile, passengers are left seeking alternative transportation options for travel between the two cities.
