With work from home guidance lifted, Londoners looking to avoid the crowds and keep moving safely should look no further than Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (www.uberboatbythamesclippers.com). London’s River Bus service runs early morning sailings, offering a comfortable commute to avoid the rush hour crowds.

Calling at 23 piers along the river Thames, the River Bus transports workers from as far west as Putney, or Woolwich in the east, right into the heart of the city. Commuters travelling on the Thames avoid the rush of the capital’s rails and roads; arriving at work fresh and ready to tackle the day. There’s also the added bonus of the onboard café bar, offering tasty snacks, a morning coffee, or something a little stronger on the way home.

With departures from as early as 5:30am, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is perfect for those who prefer a more mindful, relaxed journey, taking in the iconic views as they ease back into office life. Relaxing doesn’t necessarily mean slower though, with plenty of point to point examples whereby travelling by boat works out the quickest – and most direct – mode of transport. The River Bus service is one of the most covid-secure travel options in London, with ‘touch-free’ boarding, well-ventilated cabins and even an open-air deck. Commuters can expect to have plenty of space to themselves, with approximately 1.4 people per square metre at peak times, compared to between five and seven people on London Underground carriages*.

Varied ticketing options keep Uber Boat by Thames Clippers a financially smart choice for both full-time commuters and hybrid workers. Flexible carnets – with 4, 6, 10 or 20 pre-paid tickets – and season tickets provide considerable savings for regular and semi-regular commuters. A Flex 20 ticket carnet buys 20 journeys for the price of 16, whilst with a season ticket, commuting currently costs as little as £1.57** per journey with an annual option. Carnets and season tickets can be purchased using the Thames Clippers Tickets app, or carnets via the Uber app. Alternatively, passengers can pay as they go, using an Oyster or contactless payment card.

Wi-Fi is available at select piers and passengers can receive mobile phone signal (including 4 or 5G) whilst on board, allowing them to arrive at work prepared (or caught up on the latest television series). Guaranteed seating means there’s always a place to rest up or knuckle down and get some work done. In addition, bikes and pets are welcome on board.

For full details on ticket options, timetable or to book, please visit www.thamesclippers.com/commuters.

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Notes for editor
*London Underground data based on the maximum capacity of a Jubilee Line tube carriage as per the “London Underground Rolling Stock Information Sheet – 4th Edition”
**Based on two journeys across 261 working days of the year, travelling on a West or East Zone annual season ticket.

Media enquiries: Siren Communications: [email protected] or call 0207 759 1150

About Uber Boat by Thames Clippers 

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is London’s River Bus service. Services run at 10-20 minute intervals between key London piers including North Greenwich for The O2, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Tower, London Bridge City, Westminster, and London Eye (Waterloo), as well as several residential piers, including Battersea Power Station Pier.

Co-founded in 1999 by Sean Collins (CEO) and Alan Woods (former Chairman), the company began with one boat servicing 80 passengers a day between Greenland (Rotherhithe) and Savoy piers. In 2006 AEG, owners, and operators of The O2, acquired the majority stake in the company and since then the fleet has grown substantially to 21 vessels serving 23 piers across 4 routes. River Bus Express is an additional fast direct service connecting The O2 at North Greenwich to London Bridge, London Eye (Waterloo) and Battersea Power Station on arena event nights.

Now 23 years on from its launch, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers carried 2 million passengers in 2021, representing a 50% like for like compared with 2019 pre-Covid passenger numbers; exceeding the performance of many other public transport modes in London during the pandemic. Passengers are able to use contactless payment, Oyster to pay as you go and pre-book via the Uber app as well as the existing Thames Clippers Tickets app to travel with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, making river travel even easier.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates a modern and fuel-efficient fleet of high-speed catamarans. For over 20 years the business has been at the forefront of innovation for the river marine sector and is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of infrastructure and economic development on and around the river to ensure its long-term importance to Greater London. In order to find viable sustainable options, the business continues to break new ground and invest in trials and the development of technology, including seeking and winning Department for Transport funding to drive for a greener marine future, particularly focused on the development of hybrid and hydrogen-powered vessels.

A ticketing partnership with Uber launched in 2020 and encourages more people to enjoy travel by boat around the city, helping to link travel by river and road, all through the Uber app.