New water-taxi service ready to set sail
The launch of a new water-taxi service today has buoyed hopes for revitalization along the Allegheny River, beginning with the borough of Millvale.
Pittsburgh Water Taxi is set to carry its first passengers from the Millvale Marina to Downtown Pittsburgh this morning.
On board the 45-passenger pontoon boat are the hopes of local leaders that the water taxi will carry commuters and commerce into Millvale.
The 10-minute trip to town marks the first time North Hills commuters can take a daily boat ride to work.
Waterways Inc. owner Wayne Dean hopes to expand the service to Sharpsburg within the year.
'Millvale is the stepping stone,' Dean said. 'If other communities model themselves after Millvale, they can develop the waterfront property into something useful and at the same time make some money off the property.'
The taxi service is the first step in the borough's plan to convert the abandoned riverfront into a bustling community park, complete with a bike trail, boat rentals and concessions.
Passengers can board the two taxis at the Millvale Marina in the shadows of the 40th Street Bridge. Boats depart at 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. Drop-off points include the Boardwalk in the Strip District, the Seventh Street Bridge and Point State Park.
Return trips begin at 3:30 p.m.
Round-trip fare is $7. Dean is offering free trips to the first 15 customers who call (412) WATERTAXI this week.
Passengers can park for free in the 500-space municipal lot next to the marina.
Dean hopes to attract about 90 commuters each day for a start.
'The ultimate goal is to get 2,000 people a day Downtown from all locations, including on the Ohio (River) and on the (Monongahela River),' Dean said.
The service is modeled after water taxis in Baltimore's Inner Harbor that carry about 400,000 commuters each year.
Dean began his service two years ago with shuttles from the Strip District to baseball and football games. In the past few months, Dean has invested about $500,000 into the Millvale project.
He signed a three-year deal with Millvale to run the year-round service. The contract calls for Dean to pay the borough $1 per passenger.
Millvale officials have worked for years to attract development to the riverfront.
The borough pulled together $1.3 million in federal, state and county grants to get the riverfront project up and running.
Work on the park and pavilion is scheduled to be finished this summer.
'It's not been an easy thing to accomplish,' said Virginia Heller, Millvale manager. 'Sometimes, you get so frustrated and think it's never going to get done, but we just kept pushing forward.'
That dogged determination also drove Dean to push for his water-taxi service after critics said it was not feasible.
'This just proves that no matter how crazy the idea, it is very possible to work if you believe in it,' Dean said.
Elizabeth Barczak can be reached at ebarczak@tribweb.com or (724) 779-7113.
