NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Taking advantage of New Smyrna Beach's scenic and environmental beauty, the city's water taxi service is increasing its fares from $12 to $15 as of Wednesday as it transitions from a grant-operated program to a community-backed entity.
The Marine Discovery's taxi off the North Causeway provides 45-minute trips on the Intracoastal waterway to Inlet Harbor in Ponce Inlet, where along the 12-mile route, seafarers get an up-close view of dolphins, birds and other acquatic life, as well as breath-taking vews of the shoreline
Marine Discover Center officials, who operate the service for the city, estimate 2,000 people per month rode the taxi on its nearly 12-mile, two-hour round trip voyage last year.
Fielding Cooley, executive director of the Marine Discovery Center, said the service has averaged about 2,000 riders monthly over the ast year. It has operated on a $475,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, but as that grant wanes, Cooley is optimistic, residents and tourists alike will support the two-boat water taxi.
Mayor Sally Mackay said she supports the Marine Discovery Center's efforts, adding the city needs to do eveything it can to encorage economic development while at the same time, maintaining it's rural hometown character.
"We need to keep New Smyrna Beach's character intact," the mayor said.