A few bumps, but Halifax’s first electric water taxi is expanding after first summer season

**Halifax’s First Electric Water Taxi Expands After Successful First Season**

Halifax, N.S. – FlyteBoat, the city’s first electric water taxi service, has announced plans to expand its operations after a “successful” inaugural summer season on Halifax Harbour. The company, which began service in early June, will introduce a new $5 fare for Saturday trips between Halifax and Dartmouth and is negotiating a contract to operate eco‑tours and private charters in St. Margarets Bay.

### First‑Season Highlights

FlyteBoat’s fleet consists of a single eight‑metre (26‑foot) electric vessel, with a smaller six‑metre (20‑foot) boat used on peak days. The company logged more than 1,000 miles (1,609 km) during the summer, with an estimated energy cost of less than $300. By contrast, a comparable gasoline‑powered service would have cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for the same distance.

“About 80 % of our customers are local residents,” said co‑founder Topher Kingsley‑Williams. “Most of them call us for sightseeing trips, such as daily tours to McNabs Island, which is the only water‑taxi service operating from the Halifax waterfront.”

The company also ran a handful of commuter trips to Bedford, a route that takes over an hour but has attracted demand. “We didn’t plan to do that route in our first year because of the distance, but people loved it,” Kingsley‑Williams said.

### Operational Challenges

FlyteBoat’s founders identified visibility and docking as the biggest hurdles during the first season. The service does not have a permanent waterfront location; instead, it uses temporary parking at Cable Wharf and moves between pickup points. “We had to rely on flyers and social media to let people know where we were,” said co‑founder Chris Watters.

Docking proved more complicated than expected. “Some public docks are not approved for commercial use, so we can’t use them even if they’re in a convenient spot,” Kingsley‑Williams explained. The company has since partnered with a popular Airbnb operator who provides a private dock for guests, and it is exploring other private docking options.

### Expansion Plans

FlyteBoat has signed an agreement with Shining Waters Marina to launch eco‑tours and private charters in St. Margarets Bay. The new offerings will include oyster, champagne, seafood, scallop, and island adventure tours, with several

Article and image source: saltwire.com