WATER TAXI: Commission revises agreement

FROM PAGE 9 to build two water taxis to initially be owned by the county and to be managed and operated by the Clearwater Ferry company.

When addressing the city and county commissions in the past, Falcione said the water taxis will initially operate from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Additional service days and/or expanded operating hours will be considered if the ridership demand exists.

On Friday, The Sun sought and received some additional information from Falcione. Falcione said each water taxi will be 50 feet long and accommodate 49 passengers.

When asked about free fares for Island employees, he said, “We do plan to have a no-charge service for employees, but it’s complicated, so we do not have a defined plan at this time. We do plan to work with the hospitality owners on the Island to help bring their employees to work via ferry. It’s a program that may not start until the fall.”

In the past, Falcione has mentioned the possibility of Island businesses providing their employees with water taxi passes.

As for when the water taxi service might begin, Falcione said, “We are hoping for a July startup.”