If everything goes according to plan travellers should soon be able to sail by ferry between Reykjavík and the town of Akranes in West Iceland. Reykjavík City and the municipality of Akranes have signed an agreement to make a second attempt to re-establish a ferry service between the towns. Ferry services between the two towns were suspended in 1998 after the tunnel beneath Hvalfjörður fjord was opened in 1998.
It takes 50-60 minutes to drive between Reykjavík and Akranes via the tunnel. By boat the trip only takes 30 minutes. A significant number of the inhabitants of Akranes attend work or school in Reykjavík. A recent poll revealed that 24% of the inhabitants commute regularly to Reykjavík. Rising housing prices in Reykjavík have forced many people to settle in nearby towns, including Akranes in West Iceland, Selfoss and Hveragerði in South Iceland.
The proposed ferry would take 50-100 passengers, and would remain in service between June 1 and October 1. A spokesman for Reykjavík city told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the city expects the ferry would initially have to rely on public subsidies, but should become self-sustaining financially.
If everything goes according to plan travellers should soon be able to sail by ferry between Reykjavík and the town of Akranes in West Iceland. Reykjavík City and the municipality of Akranes have signed an agreement to make a second attempt to re-establish a ferry service between the towns. Ferry services between the two towns were suspended in 1998 after the tunnel beneath Hvalfjörður fjord was opened in 1998.
It takes 50-60 minutes to drive between Reykjavík and Akranes via the tunnel. By boat the trip only takes 30 minutes. A significant number of the inhabitants of Akranes attend work or school in Reykjavík. A recent poll revealed that 24% of the inhabitants commute regularly to Reykjavík. Rising housing prices in Reykjavík have forced many people to settle in nearby towns, including Akranes in West Iceland, Selfoss and Hveragerði in South Iceland.
The proposed ferry would take 50-100 passengers, and would remain in service between June 1 and October 1. A spokesman for Reykjavík city told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the city expects the ferry would initially have to rely on public subsidies, but should become self-sustaining financially.
