After Kerala,The Mumbai Port Trust is all set to introduce water taxi services from mid-November. The services will start from the city&rsquos domestic cruise terminal (DCT) at Princess Dock.
Initially the MbPT is planning to operate water taxis between Mumbai and Manwa, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Belapur and Vashi. Officials said that they had shortlisted around six agencies to operate the water taxis, of which, one or two operators are likely to start services soon.
The water taxis will enable passengers to reach Navi Mumbai in around 30-40 minutes instead of the earlier road commute time of close to one-and-half hour. The charges for the services will be determined by the operator, said Captain Bhabatosh Chand, Deputy Conservator, Marine Department, MbPT.
In February 2020, the MbPT had started the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) passenger services from south Mumbai to Alibaug which proved to be a hit with passengers after it resumed services in August 20 post the lockdown.
According to M2M Ferries Pvt Ltd, which operates the services, more than 5,000 passengers, 1,200 cars, 270 two-wheelers and cyclists took a trip on the ferry between August 20 and the first week of September.