image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/03/02/21/09/metd_na_0303_pg3_mlkteksi_niklasalbakri_2.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=A96629B9E7A7E4824CA43B3A561881079639E159
The Malacca river will soon be busy with water taxis ferrying commuters.
MALACCA: Water taxis will make a debut in the city once the second phase of the RM130mil rehabilitation and beautification of Malacca River is completed by the middle of this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said water taxis could ferry passengers from the river estuary close to the Custom, Immigration and Quarantine complex to Melaka Sentral bus terminal.
“Our aim is to reduce traffic congestion for the locals,” he said after chairing the weekly state Exco meeting on Wednesday.
Idris said the widening of Malacca River will soon be completed, from its current main jetty at Taman Seri Rempah here by adding a new quayside in Melaka Sentral.
The new site would be the terminal for the water taxis.
He said the river will be widened and extended by another 2.3km to enable the water taxis to stop and pick passengers from five new jetties, including one that would be constructed close to The Shore shopping complex in the city centre.
“The river corridor will have walkways and decorated with ornamental lights to add colour and make Malacca River a vibrant tourist attraction,” he said, adding that the state government will also develop a navigational system to enable the water taxis to cruise at high-speed.
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Some have suggested that the city invests in gondolas, a traditional flat bottom boat commonly seen in Venice, Italy, to be used for the historic city‘s water taxi project.
He said the project initially hit a snag after the contractor failed to complete it according to schedule.
“However, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, which manages the project, has resolved the matter,” he said.
Idris also revealed that there were suggestions to introduce the popular gondola, a traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boat on Venice River in Italy, here.
“We will look into this suggestion as well as some others to help turn the river into a major tourist attraction,” he said.
