Finnish startup Bout aims to improve nautical mobility

The Finnish company is establishing itself in Paris and aims to improve mobility for residents and tourists along the Seine.

For those who are regular visitors to the French capital, a transportation service called Batobus has been available since 1989. Currently, nine stations are served by Batobus: Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Saint Germain des Près, Notre Dame.

Open every day from 10am to 7pm (10am to 9:30pm in summer), this service caters to both workers and all visitors to Paris and offers up to 180 seats. The cost for occasional travelers is still quite high, set at €20 for a day pass and €65 for an annual pass. Holders of an Annual Navigo Pass can benefit from a discounted rate of €45 per year.

Facilitating circulation on the Seine

A new player is arriving on the Seine today, called Bout. Founded in 2018, the startup is a platform that connects “people seeking boat rides and trips with those offering them through a MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) mobile app. This platform aims to centralize the fragmented market of water taxis and large boats into a single service, simplifying the purchasing process for clients and increasing the efficiency of sales and operations for service providers.”

Bout is also preparing the ground for nautical mobility ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, to facilitate traffic flow in Paris and avoid traffic jams.

However, Bout’s scope is not limited to the capital; other cities along the Seine, such as Rouen, Le Havre, and Troyes, will also be affected throughout 2023.

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