Leeds water taxis: New update issued on future of boats as service halted
For the past decade, Leeds water taxis have transported millions of people between Granary Wharf and Leeds Dock.
Customers of the services, however, have expressed their concerns that the water taxis have stopped after being unable to locate a ride for several weeks.
Usually, tourists and commuters could track the boats’ movements in real-time via the TaxiTrak website, but the Leeds Water Taxis disappeared from the website just before Christmas.
The service was owned by Leaseco 23 Ltd, which went into administration on December 17. Two administrators were appointed to oversee the operation and management of ground-floor commercial units at the development, and questions were raised over the future of the city’s unique taxi service.
In January, Allied London, the developers behind Leeds Dock, confirmed the boats would resume their journeys “very shortly”.
A spokesperson told the Yorkshire Evening Post that a process was ongoing to transfer the operating licence from Leasco 23 to another company active and trading in Leeds Dock.
However, as of February 4, handwritten signs are still hung up where people usually board the taxis.
One sign reads: “We are sincerely sorry to say no water taxis are running until further notice, due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Another reads: “Sorry, no water taxis running.”
In a fresh update, a spokesperson for Interpath said: “The water taxis have been undergoing scheduled maintenance.
“The joint administrators of Leaseco 23 Limited are now working with their appointed agents, Sanderson Weatherall, and are hopeful that the water taxis will be operating again in the near future.
“We should also note that the skippers were not employed by Leaseco 23 Limited, and as such, the administrators are unable to comment on their position.”
Leeds Water Taxis were first introduced in 2014 by Allied London, who bought Leeds Dock (previously known as Clarence Dock), in 2012.
They were designed to resolve “last mile” connectivity issues connecting people from Leeds Station at Granary Wharf to the Dock.
After surviving flooding and the pandemic, Leeds Water Taxis rapidly became a tourist attraction with people enjoying the development of Leeds’ riverside during the 15-minute journey, which cost £2 one way.