The Department of Beaches and Harbors announced recently that the Marina del Rey WaterBus wrapped up the summer season with its most successful year ever. Overall ridership for the weekend service was 40,365 – the highest passenger number in WaterBus history.
The 2009 season increased approximately sixty-five percent over the same period last year. The service, provided by Hornblower Cruises & Events, utilized four new pontoon boats and the vessel Cabaret to shuttle riders to seven boarding locations around the Marina. The water-based transportation alternative offered WaterBus passengers a scenic and relaxing trip to their destinations and has become part of a summer commuting experience for thousands of residents, boaters and tourists.
This past summer its value as a public transportation option was made very clear when the WaterBus shuttled more than 2,100 commuters during the extremely busy and popular Fourth of July holiday, proving its worth as an important transportation alternative for all.
Since its inception in 2002, the WaterBus has delivered more than 145,000 riders to their destinations throughout Marina del Rey.