TAMPA, Florida — The ever-growing Pirate Water Taxi service announced on Wednesday that riders should expect to see an additional mile to its service and improved timing to its routes.
Starting on Wednesday, Nov. 1, Pirate Water Taxi will expand to an Island Loop around Harbour Island, the company said in a statement. The expanded route will include a new stop 8A at Davis Island located at Channel Drive and Bayshore Little League.
The company said the Island Loop will feature a partial Port Tour of the main shipping channel.
The River Stop 17 at Rick's on the River will be eliminated due to route changes to the river route, the company said. Instead, the taxi will turn at Armature Works.
"Unfortunately, boat congestion at the Pirate Water Taxi dock at Rick’s on the River has created a challenging operating environment for a busy water taxi service sharing the dock with a boat launch and close proximity to a boat rental company," the company said in the statement.
The spokesperson said the Pirate Water Taxi is working to relocate Stop 17 on the west bank of the river in closer proximity to the planned West Riverwalk.
“We are excited to expand Pirate Water Taxi service to the heart of Davis Islands,” President & CEO Troy Manthey said in a statement. “We remain committed to adding additional stops as we continue to grow Pirate Water Taxi services."
Pirate Water Taxi debuted in downtown Tampa in 2016 with a fleet of three water taxis; currently, the fleet consists of seven water taxis, the company said.
