Two New York City water taxis similar to this one could be coming to Corpus Christi. Courtesy Photo
Buying boats rather than leasing ferries could be the most cost effective way to transport passengers between the Texas State Aquarium and the Corpus Christi marina, the Regional Transportation Authority learned recently. The RTA operations committee is recommending the board request proposals for boat purchase. Two New York City water taxis are an available option under consideration, the agency said.
The bright yellow taxis seat 74 passengers and would cost about $800,000 each. HMS Ferries, which currently leases its ferry and operation services to the city, asked for $550,000 for the ferry now in use. It seats 123 passengers.
A request for proposal for a new ferry operator in June fell flat. Prospective bidders told RTA that it was too expensive to buy and operate a ferry in Corpus Christi.
Ferry service is only available during spring break each year and in the summer between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Some 85,000 people ride the ferry each year. The number dropped 2,400 riders in 2014.
New RTA-owned water taxis could be shuttling across the bay as soon as spring break 2016. Meanwhile, HMS will most likely continue to provide service based on a one-year contract extension.
HMS is raising its rates from $626.80 to $705.27 per hour.
