Water taxis of the future take flight on the San Francisco Bay

There may soon be a faster, clean way to get around the San Francisco Bay aboard a high-speed, high-tech water taxi.

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[andrewpagan]

I'll wait until I see the price point and how many people it can serve an hour versus the ferry.

[kixigvak]

Of the future? I was riding around the Adriatic in hydrofoils 50 years ago. Yugoslavia had a lot of them. Should be great on the Bay. Next up: the Caspian Sea Monster!

[jmtoobin]

The company making these boats is based in the Bay Area and is called Navier. As a Bay Area native, I can see the potential Navier and its boats could have. After all, Venice has had similar water taxi services for decades in conjunction with their small ferry services. An electric hydrofoil water taxi is a Tesla-level boat compared to a Riva Aquarama. Depending on the design, water taxis can also go where larger conventional ferries could not, and would not, be able to go. Water taxis are also more job-friendly because the vessels are small enough for anyone to learn to pilot and acquire the training needed to upgrade to bigger vessels, and thereby providing an open a door into maritime careers.

However, Navier's boats are not as fast as the ferries that already shuttle a bulk of the Bay Area's commuters across its waters. Most of the Bay Area's ferries can reach speeds of up to 36 knots, and the 35 mph for the water taxis translates to 30 knots, making them no faster than the ferries, if not a little slower. As a result, Navier's water taxis might serve the same purpose as regional airlines do to major airlines, which is as a means of lowering cost for commuter fares.

[posthocprior]

Unanswered: 1) How much is a one way ticket 2) How much faster is it than a highway trip and a standard ferry? 3) What are mean number of days that it’s expected to operate, excluding weather related events? 4) How long does it take to wait for a ferry? If, say, they run every 20 minutes and the savings in time is less than 20 minutes, how many are going to wait it?

[rabidmarmot]

you're not "flying", if part of the boat is still touching the water. And hydrofoils aren't new, Japan has been using them as ferries since at least the 80s. The reporter needs to acknowledge that.

[tys]

I can’t wait to be on one of those one day

[djryken]

The reporter acting like this is new tech, and the ceo acting like this is rocket science

[fido]

I want one to drive as a taxi… get in the game while it’s hot..

[JohnS-erjh]

there are ferries that provide service from various areas to/from New York City. Its nice to ride once and a while, but they are much too expensive for most people to take on a regular basis (I am sure it will be the same with this new high tech ferry servicing San Francisco as well). If the prices were lower, I am sure they could free up a LOT of traffic going into/out of the city.

[videosuperhero]

Looks awesome 👌 👏 looking forward to trying it

[MikeHudson-pxgc]

1st commercial hydrofoil personnel carrier was in 1952. She acts like they created the technology.

[LeeBross-rr]

Tideline Water Taxi runs from the Berkeley Marina to SF pier on Thursday every 1hr and 15 min from 7:30 to 5:30.

[chrisbreezy-ryanbarbosa]

I live in south bay but we own a ski boat. I would use this all the time if it was practical for me

[starman]

Awesome! I can't wait for sky taxis to take sail...wait what?

[alyzu]

Does the dog come along for every ride? 😍

[kidsafe]

Hong Kong makes heavy use of ferries and water taxis for harbor crossings in addition the MTR/subway, tunnels, etc. More options = good. I'd much rather ride my bike to Foster City or Redwood Shores and take a ferry to Berkeley or something than ride to Millbrae BART.

[Sweetersweet]

Yo how much a ride from redwood to Berkeley I need this in my life tho I’m tired of Caltrain

[hayabusa]

Get rid of uber and lyftwill solve SF traffic problems

[patma]

Once people get to the dock in Redwood City, how will they get to their final destination?

[TECHN]

Better test extensively for overturning due to wind & other factors