Long Beach Transit has received a nearly $550,000 federal grant to upgrade its existing water taxi fleet that connects downtown Long Beach with Alamitos Bay.<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, announced the $544,904 grant from the Department of Transportation on Monday,\u00a0 Aug. 24.<\/p>\n
The funding will allow Long Beach Transit to replace aging passenger ferry engines with new ones, allowing the agency to deliver leaner, faster and more reliable service for riders while also cutting down on maintenance costs, the announcement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLong Beach\u2019s water taxi is one of the most iconic and unique ways to get around our city, and this investment is going to make it even better,\u201d Garcia, the city\u2019s former mayor, said in a written statement. \u201cNew engines mean safer rides, less downtime, and fewer emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the city\u2019s profile has risen in recent years, and with large-scale events on the horizon \u2014 such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, for which Long Beach will host multiple competitions, including sailing \u2014 there has been renewed interest in establishing and upgrading alternative Long Beach\u2019s modes of transportation.<\/p>\n
In April, for example, the City Council approved taking formal steps<\/a> also to establish Long Beach as a major destination and participant in the Pier-to-Pier Coastal Ferry Program, an effort to restore historic coastal connections between waterfront communities through alternative transportation methods.<\/p>\n \u201cwill provide a more reliable, accessible connection between downtown and Alamitos Bay,\u201d Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement, \u201cwhile strengthening a unique transportation option that connects residents, visitors and businesses across our waterfront.\u201d<\/p>\n Separately, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors earlier this year began seeking possible providers for a water taxi service that would connect San Pedro to Long Beach as part of a strategy to lessen road traffic during the 2028 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n Three operators \u2014 Harbor Breeze Cruises, Hornblower Yachts and SF Prop<\/a> \u2014 have expressed interest in providing the service.<\/p>\n