SL's commuter ferry crashes into dock in Nacka – here's how it affects your journey
It was a run-of-the-mill morning for commuters in Stockholm. The sun was glinting off the water, people had their noses buried in their phones or a coffee cup. Then came the bang. One of SL's commuter ferries ploughed straight into the dock in Nacka. I've seen my fair share of delays and near misses over the years, but a smash like that – the actual impact – it's enough to make any old salt wince.
Crash at the dock – what we know so far
The accident happened in Nacka, and I've spoken to a few people who were on board. According to reports, for some reason the boat couldn't stop in time and went straight into the edge of the dock. "It was quite a thud," one passenger told me. It left a few people with shaky legs and, you can bet, some coffee spilled down a few ties for those heading to the office. No serious injuries have been reported, but it could clearly have been a lot worse. It's days like this you're glad you don't have Sylvester Stallone's luck in his action films, even if the boat definitely looked a bit worse for wear.
Travel chaos for commuters – how to get around
For those of us who rely on public transport, this is a real headache. Right now, getting around the area is a complete jungle. SL are, of course, working on sorting the situation, but here's the score as it stands:
- Ferry services are completely suspended on the affected route. It's simply a halt for the time being.
- Replacement buses are on their way, but expect longer journey times and crowding. It's always the same old story, getting buses coordinated and finding the right routes.
- If you can, I'd suggest checking alternative routes like the Tube or working from home if that's an option. It's one of those days.
One thing that strikes me in all this is how fragile the system is. It only takes one incident like this for the morning commute to turn into a complete nightmare. You just have to hope SL can get their recovery gear out quickly, maybe even a decent trailer or barge, to get the boat free and assess the damage.
Your 30-day travel card and your rights
When something like this happens, a lot of people wonder about their ticket. Right now, it's a hot topic among passengers, especially with services at a standstill, whether SL's 30-day cards should be valid for 30 travel days instead of 30 calendar days. You see it in the comments and hear it on the bus. My personal view is you should always make a note if your journey is severely delayed or cancelled. SL have something called a "Travel Guarantee", and while it mainly covers delays, it's worth checking their app or website. Often you can claim money back if, for example, you have to take a taxi for the last leg of your trip.
A reminder of everyday challenges
This isn't your average Tuesday for Stockholm's transport network. It's a reminder that so many of us are completely dependent on the wheels (or should I say, hulls?) turning as they should. I'm following the situation and will update as soon as I know more. Hang in there, Nacka residents and commuters, and be kind to each other out there in the rush hour. It's on days like this you wish you had your own boat, or at least a sturdy trailer to kip in.