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Water Taxi Plan Floated

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By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: February 18, 2009

Updated: 02/18/2009 12:33 am

TAMPA - Mass transit on the water?

A group of planners and architects called the Urban Charrette is proposing a small fleet of water taxis similar to waterborne services in Fort Lauderdale, New York, Boston, San Diego and other cities.

"This is an opportunity not only to enjoy our city from the water but to get around in it," Taryn Sabia, a founding member of the group, told city and business leaders this morning.

Unlike boats that pick up passengers at hotels or their homes, the 49-passenger taxis would make regular runs along the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel, stopping at docks behind the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa General Hospital and other spots.

Phase one would have the boats making seven stops from Columbus Drive to Cotanchobee Park in the Channelside district. Later phases would carry the taxis north to Lowry Park.

Sabia envisioned one-way fares at $2. The Downtown Partnership paid $10,000 for a study into the water taxis' feasibility.

Such vessels stopped running 15 years ago after their owner died. A couple of reserve-ahead services still offer rides to the public. One, the White Lightning, serves 500-600 passengers daily.

"It's doable but it has to take its place in the line of priorities," Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita said, noting most officials now are focused on land-based transit, such as buses and light rail.

Lee Hoffman, the city's Riverwalk manager, thought the service, nicknamed Hydro, could float. "It would happen slowly and we would have to get some grant money."

Sabia estimated that starting with a two- or three-vessel system would cost about $1 million, mostly from government grants and corporate donations.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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