Nashville’s New Water Taxi Service Takes Off!
Nashville, Tennessee, is a city known for its vibrant music scene, bustling streets, and of course, the mighty Cumberland River. However, it seems that this beautiful waterway wasn’t getting the love it deserved—until now! An innovative idea from a local entrepreneur is turning the tide, bringing people back to the riverfront and providing a convenient transportation option for those headed to big events.
From Observation to Inspiration
The inspiration behind this new venture came from Andrew Ostrowski, who early on noticed something odd: the Cumberland River was unusually quiet. As he would wander down to the riverfront, he often wondered, “Where is everybody?” It seems people were missing out on the charm of the river while stuck in traffic or walking for miles after attending games at the Nissan Stadium.
Having identified a need for a more enjoyable way to experience the waterfront, Ostrowski launched Pontoon Saloon in 2017. His vision was simple yet ambitious: get folks out on the water and connecting with Nashville’s beautiful riverfront. With the recent increases in the crowds around the stadium, driven by various events, he sensed a tremendous opportunity to simplify things for fans heading to the games.
A Smooth Sailing Solution
Fast forward to now—Pontoon Saloon’s new water taxi service has already set sail on a successful journey! This service offers a much-needed alternative for fans trying to avoid the notorious parking problems that have plagued the area since the stadium was built. Ostrowski mentioned, “With, obviously, the stadium being built, there’s no parking down here; it’s an absolute nightmare to get out of here.”
In the past couple of weeks, the water taxis have been a hit, completely selling out both weekends. Traveling about two miles from a nearby marina to the stadium, the boats have been moving nearly 300 people each day. Passengers have been raving about the experience! One satisfied customer, Evan Sawyers, exclaimed, “It was awesome. I’d come back 100 times; it was the bomb!”
Easy and Affordable Access
The best part? It’s surprisingly easy! For just $20 round trip, people can park at the marina and enjoy a quick 15-minute boat ride across the water, dropping them right at the stadium entrance. Sawyers shared his experience, stating, “They told us when our departure time was, walked down, and they dropped us right in front of the stadium. Couldn’t have asked for more. It was the best!”
Future Plans for Expansion
But this is just the beginning! Ostrowski has ambitious plans to expand the service. He envisions a network of water taxis connecting various points of interest across Nashville. He noted, “You go to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, even New York, Chicago; they have water taxis that connect these awesome locations throughout the city. And there’s no difference in why we couldn’t do that here.” Imagine hopping on a water taxi to explore different neighborhoods or visit attractions without the hassle of traffic!
A Community Connection
Not only does this new service help fans enjoy their game days more, but it also aims to foster a deeper connection between Nashville residents and the beautiful Cumberland River. It’s time to embrace the waterfront and all that it has to offer!
So if you’re in Nashville and looking for a fun and relaxing way to get to your next event, hop on a water taxi and enjoy the ride. This new experience is not only about getting from point A to B; it’s also about making lasting memories on the water.
The future is looking bright for Nashville’s riverfront, and we can’t wait to see where this wave of excitement takes us!
