MIAMI – Traffic is a huge problem in some of our big cities. We find ourselves sometimes spending hours behind the wheel, trying to get in time to work and back home.
When we think of Miami, a few things quickly come to mind, like skyscrapers, boats, great views, beaches and traffic ― lots of it.
As a solution to the daily bumper-to-bumper madness, Nathalie Paiva and Sam Payrovi are behind E-lixr, a new company using our waterways aimed at taking you to and from different Miami locations.
“We just felt like the options that existed now were just not reliable, not really working, and sort of dug into that for what we are all about,” said Paiva. ”And it’s also a much different experience, right? Your community is either sitting in traffic bumper to bumper or you are out on the water relaxing while Captain Chiz takes you from home to work.”
Not only a different more enjoyable experience, but also one that will save you gas and time.
“Waterborne transportation would be the obvious solution just to go direct but boats are very inefficient and fuel is very expensive, and also nobody wants to run fuel boats in large amounts in these waters that we treasure,” said Payrovi.
Right now, Payrovi and Paiva are running the company with a fuel boat and mostly using private docks, but the idea and whole goal behind the project has always been using electric boats.
“Electric transportation is really the solution, and the way it’s going to fold into other transportation services is like Uber and Lyft and bright line,” said Payrovi.
Right now, the private service is for up to six people and one way can cost you up to $150, but keep an eye out for discounts.
“Running vessels that are six at a time will make a small dent in that, but when we get to running vessels that are about 32 to 38 capacity, that starts to make a much bigger dent,” Payrovi said.
A bigger anticipated dent next year, when those electric boats are anticipated to hit our Miami waterways.
“What we think is going to happen, and we are still refining this a little bit, is a longer route, Miami Beach to Miami River, is going to be about $12,” said Payrovi.
Fueled by wanderlust, their bottom-line goal is for residents and tourists to explore Miami, Miami Beach, and other nearby locations by boat, looking at every ride as a new enjoyable adventure.
“We are going to see their entire country’s boating in the next five to 10 years change to electric and we think we are at the forefront of that,” said Payrovi.
Currently, the private service is up and running for up to six people and it’s happening from Thursday to Sunday. Trips can be booked on its website,.
Next year, once the electric boats are built up in Maine, the water taxi service will become more accessible and open to all public docks.