The Chicago Water Taxi is extending its route and will now be running from the downtown commuter train stops to a brand new stop on Goose Island.
Wendella Sightseeing Co. Inc., operators of the Chicago Water Taxi, had looked into expanding to the north but it was the move of the Wrigley headquarters that helped the expansion come to fruition, company representatives said. Service to the North Avenue stop started Tuesday.
“We are grateful that the Wrigley Company approached us to help with their employees daily commute,” Michael Borgstrom, president of Wendella Sightseeing Co. Inc., said in a news release. “It is a great partnership that enabled us to serve the Lincoln Park area and continue to serve some of our regular Wrigley Company commuters.”
Wrigley employees have come to rely on the Chicago Water Taxi for more than 50 years to drop them at the foot of the Wrigley building but with their move north to Goose Island, transportation became an issue.
The new water taxi service will provide transportation between the Union and Ogilvie commuter train stations and their new building, located at 1132 W. Blackhawk St.
While the new stop was fueled by the new Wrigley headquarters, it is open to the public. The new water taxi stop will be used during the weekday rush hour in both the morning and afternoon and will run between North Avenue and the Ogilvie/Union stop.
A ceremonial kick-off event for the new stop was held on Wednesday.
Chicago Water Taxi has been transporting thousands of commuters since 1962, according to a news release.
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