History

🛥️ Origins & Early Years

• The service began in 1962 when Wendella Sightseeing Co. started a rush-hour commuter boat between Michigan Avenue and the Northwestern (now Ogilvie) Railroad Station. Wendella ran sightseeing tours on the Chicago River, and this commuter route was an early attempt to use the river for everyday travel, not just tourism.
  
  

🔁 Evolution of the Name

• In 1999, the service expanded and was formally called the RiverBus — a name reflecting its commuter-shuttle role on the water. 

• In 2007, it was rebranded as the Chicago Water Taxi, modernizing its image and routes while continuing to serve both commuters and visitors.

🗺️ Service and Growth

• Over the years, the Water Taxi added more stops along the Main, North, and South branches of the Chicago River, including connections to major transit hubs like Ogilvie Transportation Center, Michigan Avenue Riverwalk, and Chinatown’s Ping Tom Park.
  
  

• At its peak before the pandemic, ridership was robust; in 2019 the water taxi carried around 400,000 passengers in a season — equivalent to taking thousands of cars or buses off city streets.
  
  

🚧 Modern Challenges

• The service was suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as downtown commuter traffic dropped sharply.
  
  

• After that, Chicago Water Taxi gradually restarted operations: first limited weekend or seasonal service in 2021–2022, and then commuter runs resumed on select days.
  
  

• In 2024, for the first time since 2019, the full seven-day service returned, reconnecting Ogilvie/Union Station, Michigan Avenue, and Chinatown along the river.
  
  

⚓ Who Operates It & Why It Matters

• The service is run by Wendella Tours & Cruises, a long-standing Chicago company known for architectural tours of the river. Wendella has been family-owned for generations and blends tourism with practical river transportation.
  
  

• Chicago Water Taxi serves as both a commuter alternative — especially for people coming into downtown by Metra rail — and as a scenic way for locals and tourists to explore the city’s neighborhoods via the river.