In message .com, Neil
Williams writes

Paul Terry wrote:

But how many staff does it take to dock? As always, it is staff costs
that will contribute most to the cost of the service.

I think they have 3 "conductors" on the larger boats that do that and
sell tickets.

That would certainly contribute to the cost issue. On the relatively
tide-less Venetian lagoon, a 150-seater vaporetto can be docked in about
30 seconds by the driver plus one conductor.
--
Paul Terry