Los Angeles County Could Launch New Water Taxi for Olympic Visitors

Long Beach is considering a new water taxi service to offer a sustainable alternative to driving for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but the region remains far from a ‘car-free’ Olympics.

1 minute read

October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Yellow and red water taxi in Long Beach, California with tall palm trees on beach in background at sunset.

danielfelician / Shutterstock

Long Beach, California, which is set to host 18 events as part of the 2028 Olympic and 2029 Paralympic Games, is considering a new water taxi service that would ferry attendees between venues, reports Kara Finnstrom for CBS News.

“In May, the LA County Board of Supervisors floated the idea of using a water taxi service between San Pedro and Long Beach to get visitors around while dodging air emissions from cars – and traffic. The service would be emissions-free and quick, making it perfect for a heavy-tourist season like the one that will come during the 2028 Summer Olympics.” The service would be similar to one already operating between the pier and the Queen Mary ship. 

According to Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, “[We want to] put systems in place that not only benefits the experience during 2028 but they can be left in place [after the Olympics].”

Los Angeles has long touted its plans of hosting a “no-car” Olympics. While the new Regional Connector will go a long way towards filling gaps in the city’s transit system, that dream may not fully come to fruition in time for the Games. 

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in CBS News

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