THIS is the first glimpse of a new water taxi which will soon be ferrying people along the Bridgewater Canal.
The custom-made 12-seater ‘waxis’ - seen here waiting for the finishing touches before taking to the water - will offer free wifi, refreshments and will be fitted with charge points and televisions.
The boats will take an hour to travel a four-mile route from the Trafford Centre passing Old Trafford and Hotel Football before terminating at Dukes 92, Castlefield.
Tweeting images of the bright yellow boat, Manchester Water Taxis bosses said: “To say we’re excited is an understatement.”
Entrepreneur Steve Cadwell has been in negotiations to run the vehicles on the city’s waterways since 2009.
Manchester Water Taxis were given the green light to start operating two boats on stretch earlier this year.
Residents and tourists will be able to hop aboard later this year, with the chance to get a unique view of some of the city's most iconic landmarks from the water.
A service to Sale is also expected to be launched soon.
He eventually hopes to run a fleet on the Manchester Ship Canal as well as the Bridgewater Canal.
Steve had initially hoped to launch his water taxi business on the Manchester Ship Canal to provide public transport services between the city centre and MediaCityUK.
But his plans were put on hold when the HS2 scheme was given the greenlight and the Ordsall Chord - which is due to be finished in 2017 - began construction.
Rather than mothball the project Steve took his idea to the Bridgewater Canal Company Limited, and was awarded a licence to operate two boats on the canal.
The waxis have been created by Aintree Boats and are roughly half the size of a traditional narrow boat.
They will soon have Manchester Water Taxi’s duck mascot emblazoned on the side.
The boats will initially run during daylight hours but could eventually be in service from 7am - 10pm.
