TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico And now for ferries in the USVI...

I found this article in the Virgin Islands Daily News about new ferries and water taxis interesting, given the chatter about the state of the BVI ferry system. There haven't been any new ferries in the USVI since I moved here 19 years ago. And the possibility of a water taxi system in town? Be still my heart!

Nutmeg--Thanks for posting the note. I don't know, are the ferries in the USVI owned by the government? I note that the story said that the new ferries were built with federal money, so maybe that is the situation? A water taxi for downtown seems like it would be used a lot, although I expect the taxi drivers wouldn't like it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Lots of cruise ship pax would use it, one would think..

Carol: Because this is where your tax dollars go for vacation- they get federal money for everything. I'm sure the ferries are through some sort of transportation fund, the roads are paid for through federal highway money. The ferry companies have some sort of deal to use/lease the boats. As to water taxis, yes, the taxi union has fought the concept tooth and nail for years, so there must have been some sort of deal cut with them. IMHO. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Good to know one is in the gravy line, I guess!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The water taxis I think would help the congestion downtown on cruise ship days.

The two new Ferry's ate being paid for with federal highway money. The St Thomas to St John route is part of the Federal Transportation system. They are being leased to the two Franchise holders at a very attractive price. The water taxi proposals are all over the map and likely to be insider deals but if they can pull it off will be good for the traffic situation.