Potomac River Taxi Connects Nationals Stadium to Waterfront

The American River Taxi is now traversing the Potomac in an effort to revitalize D.C. water travel and provide Washingtonians with an alternative to public transportation.

The new ferry service, which launched on April 7, provides a direct connection from Washington Harbour in Georgetown to the Southwest Waterfront and Nationals Park.

Boats run six days a week about every two hours, with special runs for Nationals' home games. Tickets are nine dollars, and discounted student tickets are in the works.

The service was set to launch in June 2010 but problems with the hybrid technology for the taxis delayed the opening.

According to company founder and president Shuan Guevarra, the transportation service allows commuters and students to avoid overcrowded Metro shuttles and highways.

"I used to spend a lot of time in Georgetown in the waterfront area and wanted to go somewhere [across town] for lunch or dinner but couldn't," Guevarra said. "For students, it offers the opportunity to discover [the area]."

According to Guevarra, the service gives riders a chance to view the District from a different perspective.

"We really want to make the waterfront accessible," Guevarra said. "D.C. was always meant to be a waterfront city. There are a lot of beautiful parts of D.C. that you can only see from the water."

Georgetown student Ryan Sheehy (SFS '13) expressed concern about the service's practicality but admitted that the direct connection to Nationals Park was appealing.

"It would be less time efficient than a taxi, bus or the metro," Sheehy said. "[But] if I were going to a game, I don't see why I wouldn't use it."

Guevarra also spoke to the environmental aspect of his company. The American River Taxi has partnered with Earth Conservation Corps and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and its taxis are fuel efficient.

"The more you see the beauty of the water, the more you realize that it is not a place to dump [trash]," he said.

Guevarra is also implementing a green, technology-driven advertising campaign utilizing social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Guevarra hopes to equip the boats with hybrid technology engines as his company grows.

The company plans to set up kiosks at taxi stops, providing fare cards that will work like the Metro's SmarTrip cards. In the future, Guevarra hopes to add stops at Reagan National Airport, Alexandria and the National Harbor.