Since Weesp belongs to Amsterdam, this means for a lot of policy: equal monks, equal hoods. For pleasure craft in Weesp, since this year it applies that boat owners have to purchase a passage vignette for 43 euros to be allowed to moor. To the great displeasure of Weesper entrepreneurs. They think that day trippers on the water now ignore Weesp. “They really are not going to moor for that money to get an ice cream.”
The terrace of Pieter Kors, owner of Café ‘t Helletje, is packed with the beautiful weather. Yet he is worried about the coming spring in Weesp. They are about the sailing policy, among other things: “We belong to Amsterdam, so every boat must have a vignette. That is accompanied by a substantial amount of 43 euros. As a result, many boats will ignore Weesp,” he says.
A passage vignette is a mandatory vignette for ships that want to sail through certain Dutch waters, with the aim of financing maintenance and facilities on and along the water. Previously that already played in Amsterdam waters. Due to the merger, it has also been applying to boat owners who want to moor in Weesp. You can still go through Weesp without a vignette, says a spokesperson for the municipality.
Confusion about vignette
Boat owners say that it is mainly hassle to purchase a vignette. “You have to deliver all kinds of documents. But it doesn’t have to be the money, it is not expensive,” says a woman. The vignette is valid for three years. Yet the woman thinks it will lead to confusion. “I think many people don’t know. It is not indicated anywhere,” she says.
“43 euros for three years can be overseen yes, but sloops have to pay it, if they just want to enter the center. That is independently of the mooring fee they have to pay. This is how it costs 17 euros to install six hours,” responds Kors.
Entrepreneurs want more customization
According to Kors, the merger agreed that Weesp would retain its own character. That is not accompanied by these types of amounts, he says. Kors therefore hopes that the municipality will come to Weesper entrepreneurs with customization. Although Amsterdam tries to keep tourists out of the big city, they can use it all too well, he says.
“It is the same problem with the Airbnbs. We don’t have English people here who come for the coffee shops, but people who want to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Many companies are going to have a hard time,” he says.
But the municipality does not seem to be fully bending with that wish, can be concluded from a response: “For terraces, B & Bs and all other topics, the college and daily management of the Weesp city area go together to see where regulations can get a specific interpretation for Weesp, that does justice to the individuality of Weesp, but also workable for the municipality as a whole, says a spare company.