They’re already popular in one of Australia’s busiest harbours, in Sydney.
Now, another capital city is considering its own version of on-water rideshare.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: New transport option for major city
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Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has thrown support behind a proposal to bring water taxis to the river, with a new plan allowing private operators to launch from council-owned jetties and pontoons.
“This would allow the water taxi operators to potentially operate on the eight jetties and pontoons,” he said.
“It’s a new opportunity that hasn’t existed in the past.”
The idea isn’t new, but this time council is putting real infrastructure on the table and encouraging the private sector to step up.
“It’ll ultimately require a private business to put forward a proposal,” Schrinner added.
While Brisbane’s CityCats are a common sight on the river, they can’t travel upstream from St Lucia as the vessels are too large and powerful for the narrower sections.
That leaves suburbs like Moggill and Bellbowrie without any river transport with buses currently the only option.
Locals told 7NEWS they’re open to the idea, but price would be a deciding factor.
“Would I catch a river taxi to the city? I guess I probably would,” one resident said.
“Probably not, no. Not for the full price. We’d be better on the bus. Fifty cents,” another added.
Others said the idea made sense, especially given traffic troubles.
“We’ve got lots of buses, which is great, but Moggill Rd is a nightmare,” one commuter said.
The RACQ said electric hydrofoils — small, fast vessels gliding above the water — could be the best option.
“They can travel faster without causing problems to other river users or to the environment,” Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said.
He also said they avoid damaging the riverbank and offer a smooth ride and that the faster, lighter craft could extend services to areas like Bellbowrie and Northshore.
Tourism boost
The broader plan isn’t just for locals.
The council said it could also serve international visitors, with a push to link the city to the cruise ship terminal via river charter.
Tourism and Environment Minister Andrew Powell said the state government is open to the idea.
“I’m happy to work with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his team,” he said.
“What better way to experience an Olympic and Paralympic city than from its river.”
Water-based tourism operators said the idea makes sense, but safety will need to come first.
“We’ve just got to make sure we are on the side of safety as well,” said Matthew McKinley from Jet Ski Tours Brisbane.
If approved, Queensland’s capital could join the list of global cities using water taxis as part of daily life.
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