The roots of our company lie at the Velden — Grubbenvorst ferry. This is where Gilles Paulus started transferring passengers in 1914. To quote the poet drs. P., he sailed “back and forth”. What Gilles couldn't imagine at the time is that this marked the beginning of a family business that, more than 100 years later, takes millions of vehicles and passengers across the rivers annually with no less than ten ferries in the Southeast Netherlands.
In 1914, Gilles Paulus started the current ferry company with a ferry connection on the Maas between Velden and Grubbenvorst. Gilles had always sailed on the Maas with his cargo ship. However, his wife wanted to set foot in Grubbenvorst so it was decided to settle down in Grubbenvorst. Gilles received the operating rights from the Velden - Grubbenvorst ferry service and also earned an extra penny catching eels.
His wife ran the café on the Grubbenvorster side of the Maas and acted as a ferrywoman when Gilles was not around. After his son Herman and subsequently his grandson Giel continued the ferry connection, grandson Ton took over the operation of the ferry service on November 1, 1973.
It wasn’t smooth sailing at first, as the Netherlands quickly faced an oil crisis that also had an effect on ferry earnings. Cars stayed away and revenues fell dramatically.
But luckily, the tide turned and Ton was even able to expand the ferry company. In the following 40 years, the following ferry connections were added:
· Lottum - Lomm (1977)
· Baarlo - Steyl (1979)
· Cuijk - Middelaar (1987)
· Berg aan de Maas - Meeswijk (1997)
· Broekhuizen - Arcen (2001)
· Beusichem - Wijk bij Duurstede (2007)
· Kessel - Beesel (2013)
· Wijk bij Duurstede - Rijswijk (2014)
· Houses - Loo (2018)
In 2014, the ferry company celebrated its 100th anniversary. On that occasion, His Majesty the King, by His Order of 3 February 2014, granted the right to use the Royal Coat of Arms with the addition “Purveyor to the Court by Royal Order” to Ton Paulus Veerbedrijf Velden BV in Velden BV.
In 2016, when Ton and his wife Adrie have been at the helm for over 40 years, daughter Petra joined the company as the fourth generation. On August 23, 2018, she was appointed the new director. Together with partner Tom, this puts the daily management in the hands of a new generation that faces the future with a fresh perspective.
Below are links to some informative websites.
- Vereniging van Eigenaren en Exploitanten van Overzetveren in Nederland
- Vrienden van de veerponten