 | |
| Locale | Jacksonville, Florida |
|---|---|
| Waterway | St. Johns River |
| Transit type | Water taxi |
| Owner | Jacksonville Transportation Authority |
| Operator | Lakeshore Marine |
| Began operation | 1987 |
| No. of vessels | 4 |
| No. of terminals | 5 |
| Daily ridership | 1,200 (weekdays, Q2 2025)[1] |
| Yearly ridership | 424,800 (2024)[2] |
| Website | jaxrivertaxi |
TheJacksonville Water Taxi, orJacksonville River Taxi, is awater taxi service inJacksonville, Florida. Established in 1987, it ferries passengers across theSt. Johns River between theNorthbank andSouthbank ofDowntown Jacksonville. Stops are located along theRiverwalks. In 2024, the system had a ridership of 424,800, or about 1,200 per day as of the second quarter of 2025.
Water taxi service in Downtown Jacksonville began in 1987, with the opening of theJacksonville 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 minimumU.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, theJacksonville 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]
In October 2015, Lakeshore Marine operated four boats, two seating 100, one seating 60 and one seating 50.[7] The Jacksonville River Taxi currently[when?] operates on a circular route between four stops along theJacksonville Riverwalks: boats depart theJacksonville Landing on theNorthbank for three stops onSouthbank. A fifth stop atMetropolitan Park Marina is open during events in theStadium District.[8]
