A Rowboat with Global Relevance

On the eastern edge of Berlin, a small ferry line known as F24 crosses the Müggelspree River, connecting Rahnsdorf and Müggelheim.

Like informal transport solutions in the global South, this ferry service began as a community solution to an unmet need — a rowboat ferry service established by a local hat maker in 1911. It evolved into a cherished, essential, and formalized part of the city’s transport network.

The Berlin transportation authority, BVG, officially adopted the F24 into its network in 1947, recognizing its value as a public service.

The Shutdown and the Community Response

The story of the F24 ferry has something else in common with informal transport transport systems in the global South: It was, for awhile, regarded dismissively, and it was shut down.

In 2013, BVG canceled the service for budgetary reasons, disregarding its importance to the local community. The public response was immediate: 18,000 signatures rallied to bring F24 back. The pushback led to the ferry’s reinstatement in 2015, cementing its role as part of Berlin’s transit ecosystem.

Today, the F24 still operates seasonally, and it’s covered by the Deutschlandticket — Germany’s public transit pass — giving it the same legitimacy as Germany’s buses and trains.

Community Transportation Matters

The story of F24 mirrors the journey of many informal transport services in the global South. Across cities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, informal transport like minibus taxis, rickshaws, and motorcycle taxis emerged to meet specific community needs that transit systems designed from the top down fail to address.

Although such services are sometimes dismissed as unregulated or quaint, they play a critical role in creating a complete, accessible, and locally responsive transport network. These modes are not remnants of the past but practical solutions that have adapted to cultural and economic realities, offering affordable and flexible mobility for millions.

Trufi Association believes in recognizing the value of such community-driven transport systems, whether in Berlin or in the streets of Lagos or Bogota. Rather than eliminating informal networks or sidelining them, we advocate for their integration into official transportation plans, treating them as essential, culturally rooted solutions that complement formal transit.

The F24 ferry, though quirky and small, is an example of how informal transport — driven by community needs — can and should gain the respect and recognition it deserves.