Presque Isle Water Taxi facts for kids
| Locale | Erie, Pennsylvania United States |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Presque Isle Bay |
| Transit type | Water taxi |
| Operator | Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority |
| Began operation | 1999 |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of vessels | 3 |
The Presque Isle Water Taxi, also known as the Aquabus, is a special boat service. It helps people travel across Presque Isle Bay in Erie, Pennsylvania. This service is run by the Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (EWPPA).
The water taxi starts its journey from Dobbins Landing in downtown Erie. It then travels to the Waterworks area inside Presque Isle State Park. On its way, it also makes a quick stop at Liberty Park. It's a fun way to see the bay!
Contents
The Water Taxi Story
The idea for a water taxi service started a while ago.
Getting Ready for Boats
In 1997, the Waterworks Ferry Dock in Presque Isle State Park got a big makeover. Workers spent about $1.1 million to fix it up. They also made the water deeper so boats could easily dock there. This was important because the dock had become old and worn out.
First Boats on the Bay
The first water taxi service began on June 7, 1997. It used a boat called the Presque Isle Express. This boat was about 40-foot (10 m) long and could carry 36 passengers. It was a type of pontoon boat, which means it floats on two long, hollow tubes.
The Presque Isle Express ran for two years. Then, in 1999, the Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority took over the service.
New Boats Join the Fleet
The Port Authority bought two new ferry boats in 1999. They received $800,000 from the government to help buy them. These boats were named Aquabus I and Aquabus II. They were both about 40-foot (12 m) long and made of strong fiberglass.
In 2001, a third boat joined the group. It was named the Canadian Sailor. This boat was a bit different from the Aquabuses. It could carry more people, up to 42 passengers. It also had an enclosed seating area, which is great for cooler weather. The Canadian Sailor was also built to travel outside the calm waters of Presque Isle Bay and into the bigger Lake Erie.
Exploring New Routes
The Canadian Sailor even made trips from Erie to Barcelona, New York in 2002. There was also a plan to use it for a ferry route between Erie and Canada. In 2011, the Canadian Sailor was rented for a short time to try out a ferry service in Buffalo, New York.
How the Water Taxi Runs Today
The Presque Isle Water Taxi is still a popular way to travel.
Where and When It Goes
The water taxi leaves from Dobbins Landing. This spot is at the end of State Street in downtown Erie. It usually departs every hour.
The taxi makes a stop at Liberty Park. After that, its final stop is inside Presque Isle State Park. A full trip, going there and back, takes about 50 minutes.
During the summer months, the water taxi usually makes eight trips a day. It runs seven days a week, as long as the weather is good. The water taxi does not run when it's raining or very windy.
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