The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority has not given up on reviving its dormant water taxi service.
The Port Authority’s board on Jan. 8 signed off on once again requesting sealed bids from potential water taxi operators, hoping to find one who will agree to operate the service.
The water taxi service, which shuttles people across Presque Isle Bay, has not operated since 2019.
Julie Slomski, the Port Authority’s executive director, said the authority hopes to generate enough proposals to “move forward with the taxi this summer.”
The authority will accept proposals through Feb. 6.
Water taxi history
The Aquabus II water taxi was photographed June 21, 2016 as it motored toward its dock at Dobbins Landing on Presque Isle Bay. At the time the water taxi was piloted by Norman Schlosser and is still owned by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.
Water taxi service began in 2000 as a way for tourists and residents to travel between the city and Presque Isle State Park. The service typically started each June and ran through October.
In the past the water taxi ran seven days a week, weather permitting, and usually departed on the hour from Dobbins Landing with stops at Liberty Park and Presque Isle State Park’s Waterworks area before returning to Dobbins Landing.
The Port Authority owns two water taxis. However, the service last operated in 2019.
The authority has struggled to find a private operator for the service in recent years, primarily because operators are required to hold a U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license. Capt. Norman Schlosser, who retired in 2016 and held such a license, operated the service on behalf of the Port Authority for 17 years.
The authority’s agreement with the taxi service’s last operator, Presque Isle Boat tours, expired in 2019. The company, owned by Erie businessman Tim Sedney, was not interested in a renewal.
The water taxi did not operate in 2020 and 2021 primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Port Authority has solicited bids over the years for new operators, including in 2024, but has drawn little interest.
Finding a captain
Operators in the past have also been required to provide general liability and contractual liability insurance regarding the service, and workers’ compensation coverage if necessary.
Slomski has said in the past that the Port Authority would have to work out multiple details with any operator, including compensation; routes; pricing for patrons; and hours of operation.
Anyone interested in submitting a proposal can do so in person or by mail by contacting the Port Authority’s main offices, located at 1 Holland Street, Erie, Pa. 16507.
Information regarding proposals is also available online.
Any bids submitted will be opened publicly on Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Port Authority offices.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at @ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Could water taxi service return to Erie’s bayfront in 2025?