KOCHI: The much-hyped hop-on-hop-off boat service and the water taxi service will become operational by the second week of December, coinciding with the launch of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Though the official inauguration of the services was held in November, the water taxi and hop-on-hop-off boat service are yet to become operational.
When asked about the delay, a top official at the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL), a government of Kerala undertaking that has been entrusted with the conduct of the boat services, said that the services will began by December 12.
“Currently, the trial run of the hop-on-hop-off boat service is progressing. Its full-fledged operation will begin just before the commencement of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale-2014. Before starting the service, certain security protocols have to be complied with. We are currently working on it,” said Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited managing director S Anilkumar.
As per the officials, the services will be available during the daytime, and tourists will be able travel in the boats to visit places like Marine Drive, Bolgatty, Vypeen, Fort Kochi and Mattanchery as many times as they wish in a day using a single ticket.
Tourists could get down at any of the places, and board the boats after exploring the tourist attractions there.
Meanwhile, the water taxis will operate on a point-to-point basis. The taxis could be hired by making phone calls, just like the call-taxis. The boats will also be available for rent at an hourly rate of `4,000. The tickets can be purchased online on the website www.hoponhopoffkerala.com. “The website for the services will be functional by the time they are launched,” Anilkumar added.
The hop-on-hop-off boats can ferry 25 tourists, while the water taxis can carry six passengers. The boats will be fully air-conditioned.
Additional details about the water taxi service will be available on +91-7034353333, and those of the hop-on hop-off boat service will be available on +91-7034011234.