by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
The water taxi subcommittee of the City Council’s Waterways Commission is recommending that the City submit a request for proposal for one company to provide water taxi service on the St. Johns River downtown as opposed to the multiple companies currently on the river.
“I like the idea,” said Greg Samuel, owner of S.S. River Taxi. “I’ve been overwhelmingly in favor of it from the first time it was uttered.”
The logic behind the proposed RFP is to provide consistent service for water taxi patrons. Under the current laissez faire system, water taxis are free to operate whenever they wish. Although they generally strive to maintain consistent hours, they have the option to dock early when business is slow.
Jim Bass, owner of Taxi Tug, railed at the idea of awarding the contract to one company. Bass has three boats in his Taxi Tug fleet, two of which he purchased after discussions of an RFP first surfaced last year. If the City decides to contract with one company to provide downtown water taxi services, he says he could be forced out of business.
“It’s not like the car taxis at the airport,” he said. “If they contract for one taxi at the airport, they have other places to go. We don’t.”
Samuel, on the other hand, is ready to end years of competing for inconsistent ridership and uncertain profits. He plans to make a bid if the RFP comes to fruition.
“When there’s one company, there is enough business to make a comfortable living,” he said, explaining that the successful bidder would be better able to plan maintenance and investment plans. “I know I would be able to plan things and come up with a workable, dependable system.”
Under the constraints of the RFP, the days of inconsistent water taxis would be history.
Both Samuel and Bass conceded they have closed their taxis early during slow periods, but defended their scheduling and business practices.
“At times you get into a real slump,” said Samuel. “We got in a real slump three weeks before the Florida/Georgia game. At some point, you decide you’ve done your best to keep your boats out there. You can only afford to lose so much. We attempt to come out here seven-days-a-week.”
Added Bass: “We’ve done that [closed early],” he said. “If there’s nobody out there, there’s no use in running around in circles. We have worked very hard in satisfying the public and the City. Why in the world wouldn’t we operate if there’s people out here? The consistency is not there right now. I agree; it’s not consistent. Certainly there is an easy fix.”
Steve Nichols, waterways coordinator and dockmaster for the Department of Parks and Recreation, would like to see the water taxis adhere to set hours, regardless of the ridership.
“Water taxis don’t have to hold specific hours,” he said. “Merchants have complained that during the week service is inconsistent.”
Although there are three companies competing for limited weekday riders and stronger business on weekends and during events, Nichols said the current system is ineffective.
“Right now, anybody that wants to buy a medallion and meet the safety requirements and the Coast Guard requirements can do that,” he said.
While there may be one taxi service running during the week, chances are there are three running on football game day — all competing for the same customers.
“Where the water taxis make their money is during football games and special events,” he continued. “There are no boats during the week, but lots of boats on the weekends. Overall, quality and service goes down. The patrons perceive the City is not managing the water taxi service very well.”
Nichols admitted the City is currently not managing the water taxi service at all, but the RFP would go a long way toward bringing consistency to the service.
“An RFP would accept proposals from a number of people and accept a contract from one company,” he said. “In the effort to rejuvenate and revitalize downtown, the water taxis have an image issue.”
Contracting one company would keep the taxis running on a set schedule, but that company would be required to run during lean times, regardless of the level of patronage. Neither water taxi committee members or Nichols anticipate the need for a government subsidy.
“The operator could request a subsidy but I don’t anticipate that happening,” said Nichols. “The revenue from the very good times would subsidize the not very good times.”
Samuel isn’t worried about the ebbs and flows of business affecting his overall bottom line if he is awarded the contract.
“If you take a lump a day or two, you figure you can recoup the loss.”
The matter passed the Waterways Commission unanimously at its meeting on Wednesday and will forward it to the full City Council for consideration.
“The goal would be to initiate an RFP contract by May 31 so it can be in place by the summer/fall busy seasons,” said Nichols.