Jacksonville Water Taxi

The Jacksonville Water Taxi, or Jacksonville River Taxi, is a water taxi service in Jacksonville, Florida. Established in 1987, it ferries passengers across the St. Johns River between the Northbank and Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville. Stops are located along the Riverwalks. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 415,900, or about 1,200 per day as of the second quarter of 2023.

Jacksonville Water Taxi
LocaleJacksonville, Florida
WaterwaySt. Johns River
Transit typeWater taxi
OwnerJacksonville Transportation Authority
OperatorLakeshore Marine
Began operation1987
No. of vessels4
No. of terminals5
Daily ridership1,200 (weekdays, Q2 2023)[1]
Yearly ridership415,900 (2022)[2]
Websitejaxrivertaxi.com

History

Water taxi service in Downtown Jacksonville began in 1987, with the opening of the Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront shopping and entertainment center.[3] In the early years, a variety of companies ran water taxis out of the Landing, with the City of Jacksonville allowing any operator who passed the minimum U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations to start a water taxi business. This led to fierce competition during peak times and inconsistent service, with captains ignoring city regulations on routes and use of the stops to fight each other for customers. Eventually, the Jacksonville City Council Waterways Commission stepped in to demand improved service. Ultimately, in 2002, the City of Jacksonville adopted new regulations governing the Jacksonville Water Taxi, awarding a contract to a single operator who adheres to a consistent route and schedule.[4]

The Jacksonville Water Taxi experienced a stoppage of service in 2014 when the City of Jacksonville failed to renew the operator's contract. The city's attempts to purchase and operate boats failed to come together.[5] The city negotiated a new contract with Lakeshore Marine in April 2015.[6]

Operation

In October 2015, Lakeshore Marine operated four boats, two seating 100, one seating 60 and one seating 50.[7] The Jacksonville River Taxi currently operates on a circular route between four stops along the Jacksonville Riverwalks: boats depart the Jacksonville Landing on the Northbank for three stops on Southbank. A fifth stop at Metropolitan Park Marina is open during events in the Stadium District.[8]

Stops
Stops Connections
 Jacksonville Landing

Northbank 30°19′28″N 81°39′35″W

 Mainline rail interchange Jacksonville Skyway

Local Transit JTA Bus
Intercity Bus Greyhound

 Friendship Fountain

Southbank 30°19′14″N 81°39′36″W

 Mainline rail interchange Jacksonville Skyway

Local Transit JTA Bus

 Doubletree Hotel

Southbank 30°19′14″N 81°39′26″W

 Mainline rail interchange Jacksonville Skyway
Lexington Hotel

Southbank 30°19′06″N 81°39′12″W

 Mainline rail interchange Jacksonville Skyway
Metropolitan Park Marina

Stadium District 30°19′11″N 81°38′31″W
(Special events only)

 Local Transit JTA Bus

References
  1. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. Stoffel, Jennifer (July 12, 1987). "National Notebook: Jacksonville, Fla., A Life Along The Riverfront". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  4. Bauerlein, David (October 29, 1999). "Water taxis faring better". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
    - Galnor, Matt (January 21, 2002). "Council considers cut in water taxis". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  5. Patterson, Steve (Jun 6, 2014). "For downtown Jacksonville water taxis, no trips this weekend, but lots of questions". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  6. Patterson, Steve (April 3, 2015). "Long-term contract set between Jacksonville, water-taxi business". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  7. Readout, Stacey (October 30, 2015). "4th water taxi to debut for Florida-Georgia". News 4 JAX. Graham Media Group. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  8. "Routes & Rates". St. Johns River Taxi. 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
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