Lansdowne Park Redevelopment Phase 1 | Completed - Page 143

JFFournier · #**2841** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 4:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbria27

A river cruise boat with a catered meal is a great idea, but it is not a water taxi.

Most taxi rides aren't catered, granted, but that aside I don't see what the difference is. You pay x-amount and they take you from A to B.

umbria27 · #**2842** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFFournier

Most taxi rides aren't catered, granted, but that aside I don't see what the difference is. You pay x-amount and they take you from A to B.

That's like saying an RV is much the same as a vespa. In which case I have an RV for sale that you might like.
Traditionally a water taxi is hired on demand - like a land taxi. Water taxis are a a mobility solution, whereas the cruise ride is an entertainment solution. Two cruise boats bringing 50 people each isn't a significant contribution to getting people to the site. If Ashe wanted to project credibility on alternate transportation, he could have talked about how they would incentivize cyclists and bus riders. Instead he decided to say that water taxis were "cool".

JFFournier · #**2843** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 5:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbria27

That's like saying an RV is much the same as a vespa. In which case I have an RV for sale that you might like.
Traditionally a water taxi is hired on demand - like a land taxi. Water taxis are a a mobility solution, whereas the cruise ride is an entertainment solution. Two cruise boats bringing 50 people each isn't a significant contribution to getting people to the site. If Ashe wanted to project credibility on alternate transportation, he could have talked about how they would incentivize cyclists and bus riders. Instead he decided to say that water taxis were "cool".

I can understand your point about Ashe's response but I think this falls under both transportation and entertainment.

How often are they going to run these?

JackBauer24 · #**2844** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 6:14 PM**

I have an idea to solve the on-going casino debate and the water taxi/water entertainment discussion.....

River. Boat. Casino.

Though I haven't seen enough mullets in Ottawa to think there would be enough interest.

EDIT: Upon further research, they are generally referred to as Casino River Boats, not River Boat Casinos, if that makes a difference.

Boxster · #**2845** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

I have an idea to sold the on-going casino debate and the water taxi/water entertainment discussion.....

River. Boat. Casino.

Though I haven't seen enough mullets in Ottawa to think there would be enough interest.

River, boat and casino. 1 out of 3....so that takes Landsdowne out of the equation.

citydwlr · #**2846** Posted **Aug 19, 2013, 11:45 PM**

I'm kinda surprised OC Transpo or a smaller company like Blue Line isn't jumping on this if it goes through. It'd be neat to see some of these on the Canal:
http://www.lomocean.com/projects/commercial/11.1m+-+water+taxi

I suppose during certain times, they could potentially increase the speed limit for Water taxis only - is that possible?

kwoldtimer · #**2847** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 12:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

I have an idea to solve the on-going casino debate and the water taxi/water entertainment discussion.....

River. Boat. Casino.

Though I haven't seen enough mullets in Ottawa to think there would be enough interest.

EDIT: Upon further research, they are generally referred to as Casino River Boats, not River Boat Casinos, if that makes a difference.

The mullets are all over in Hull playing the slots!

Jamaican-Phoenix · #**2848** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 3:40 AM**

Even if it's not speedy, a "water taxi" service of sorts could certainly help ease traffic.

umbria27 · #**2849** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 2:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Even if it's not speedy, a "water taxi" service of sorts could certainly help ease traffic.

Not really. That's the point. Speed and capacity are related. Once you've loaded one of those boats, got everybody to the park, disembarked and returned, there's no time for a second trip. So if Paul's boat line has three of these boats with a capacity of 50, you can get 150 people to the park at the same speed at which they could have walked. That's not a significant contribution to easing traffic.

kevinbottawa · #**2850** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 3:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbria27

Not really. That's the point. Speed and capacity are related. Once you've loaded one of those boats, got everybody to the park, disembarked and returned, there's no time for a second trip. So if Paul's boat line has three of these boats with a capacity of 50, you can get 150 people to the park at the same speed at which they could have walked. That's not a significant contribution to easing traffic.

I'm not sure how water taxis work, but couldn't they start the first trip two hours prior to the game? Three boats running for two hours could carry a decent amount of people. And who knows if they're even using all the boats they own? Perhaps their fleet is bigger than three boats? Even though there may be faster ways to get to games, like walking for some, I'm sure a lot of people would love the experience of a relaxing boat ride to a game.

JFFournier · #**2851** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I'm not sure how water taxis work, but couldn't they start the first trip two hours prior to the game?

They can run it all day, for that matter. They said they were thinking of it as a means of transportation to the Park, not necessarily just during events.

Is it a miracle cure? Hardly, but I think it will help.

JeffB · #**2852** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 5:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbria27

Not really. That's the point. Speed and capacity are related. Once you've loaded one of those boats, got everybody to the park, disembarked and returned, there's no time for a second trip. So if Paul's boat line has three of these boats with a capacity of 50, you can get 150 people to the park at the same speed at which they could have walked. That's not a significant contribution to easing traffic.

I think it would be more of a "recreational" option. Someone opting to take the water taxi because it would be a fun trip, rather than because it is expedient.

Boxster · #**2853** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB

I think it would be more of a "recreational" option. Someone opting to take the water taxi because it would be a fun trip, rather than because it is expedient.

It could be a REAL fun trip if they served beer onboard on the way down to the park.

CHEERS

gjhall · #**2854** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 5:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB

I think it would be more of a "recreational" option. Someone opting to take the water taxi because it would be a fun trip, rather than because it is expedient.

Seems like a recreational, perhaps with beer, trip option would be a good fit for an event like a concert or football game.

eemy · #**2855** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 5:53 PM**

It's certainly something I think could enhance the canal as a public space, but as others have said, it is certainly not something you can count on to seriously address transportation needs.

OTSkyline · #**2856** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 7:30 PM**

Like everyone said, it all depends on varilables...

I think they could run it all day with more boats closer to game time but as was mentioned this would be a "let's take the boat on the canal to get to the game for fun" rather than "game starts in 15 min hun, hurry grab the kids the boat leaves soon" thing.

I think if it was around 20min for the ride from Rideau to Landsdowne it could be acceptable (not too fast but not too "driving miss daisy"). Plus it depends on cost, I think if they can offer it for like 12-15$ there-and-back it could be a big success but anything more an people won't take it.

JackBauer24 · #**2857** Posted **Aug 20, 2013, 8:04 PM**

They could even fix tubes and donuts to the back of the boats for the kids.

In all seriousness, I think it would be a great idea to an under-used water way. Especially considering what areas the canal connects - Byward, Downtown, Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Dow's Lake/Little Italy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Like everyone said, it all depends on varilables...

I think they could run it all day with more boats closer to game time but as was mentioned this would be a "let's take the boat on the canal to get to the game for fun" rather than "game starts in 15 min hun, hurry grab the kids the boat leaves soon" thing.

I think if it was around 20min for the ride from Rideau to Landsdowne it could be acceptable (not too fast but not too "driving miss daisy"). Plus it depends on cost, I think if they can offer it for like 12-15$ there-and-back it could be a big success but anything more an people won't take it.