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Jericho now has a passenger boat service along the canal. This imaginative initiative from Jericho residents Christopher and Wendy Ball could serve as a pilot for a network of cruising routes around Oxford's waterways.

To start with there is one boat, skippered by another Jericho resident, Alan Joyce. It shuttles between Hythe Bridge Street and Aristotle Lane - and charges £10 return (or £6 one way) which includes an ice cream. While steering the boat, Alan gives a running commentary on the sights along the canal.

"We are going to run this as a pilot for six weeks until mid-October after which there will be a consultation with canalboat owners as well as the Canal and River Trust."

This is likely to prove popular with tourists and other visitors. On 11th September Jeanette and Patrick Swain, from Lincolnshire, for example, enjoyed the hour-long trip, and said that they were surprised that Oxford did not already have something like this. Their only concern was the rather scruffy state of this part of the canal. "We have been along other canal routes and have seen boats that were more brightly painted." The redevelopment of the Jericho canalside side would improve the view - and the construction of a new boatyard would enable more boat painting.

Another passenger was Abdulhakeem Alobaidly from Qatar. "I am in Oxford checking out accommodation for my son who is a student here. I just saw this as I was walking along the street. The canal and the overhanging trees remind me of the 'khlongs' in Thailand. When the family comes next week they will come for a ride too."

If the scheme returns next year it would run from April to October, and the next development would probably be to extend the ride to Wolvercote - which would involve running two boats to maintain the hourly service. There will also be concessions for Jericho residents, although the Jericho Online reporter was disappointed to hear that he would not be able to use his bus pass.

Alan says there have also been proposals to have themed rides, such as an Alice in Wonderland ride, reflecting the importance of the the River Thames in the creation of both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Further informaton is available on the Oxford Waterbus Facebook page.