Mumbai: There is good news for the passengers traveling in Water Taxi. Now water taxis will run from Gateway of India along with the terminal located at Bhau Ka Dhaka. Mumbai Port Trust (BPT) has given permission to water taxi operators to operate taxis between Gateway of India to Belapur. Water Taxi was introduced in February 2022 to promote water transport. Taxis plying between cruise terminal to Belapur, JNPT got a poor response from passengers. Due to this, it became difficult for taxi operators to meet their expenses.
Due to fewer passengers, some operators had stopped even plying taxis on the route. To attract passengers, the operator had sought permission to start the service from the Gateway of India instead of the cruise terminal. According to Mumbai Port Trust (BPT) chairman Rajiv Jalota, the water taxi operator has been given permission to start the service from the Gateway of India. Taxis have been allowed to start service only between Gateway of India to Belapur.
Effect of higher rent
Water taxis getting fewer passengers is also the reason behind their high fares. To promote water transport, subsidies are also given in the states of Kerala, Goa. This subsidy is not there in Maharashtra, although the government has decided to give some concession in the tax of tickets.
