PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- The water taxi service, specially introduced in conjunction with the 2025 National Day celebration, received an overwhelming response from visitors of all races who gathered to enliven the festivities at Dataran Putrajaya today.
Operating free of charge from 5 am to 2 pm today, the service not only facilitated the smooth movement of visitors to the celebration venue but also provided them with a rare opportunity to enjoy a scenic boat ride across Putrajaya Lake.
A visitor, Muhammad Amrun Ruzali, 34, from Semenyih, Selangor, said he and his children were thrilled to experience the water taxi service, calling it a memorable moment for his family.
“Normally, our family travels by motorcycle to the National Day celebrations. This year, we decided to try the water taxi, and it really made getting around much easier.
“The children were so excited to ride across the Putrajaya Lake early in the morning,” said Muhammad Amrun, a teacher at a school in Selangor.
He added that he, his wife, Imatul Nafisa Nor Hazizan, 33, and their two sons make it a point to attend the National Day celebration every year.
He explained that their tradition is aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism in their children so they will appreciate Malaysia’s hard-earned independence and develop a love for their homeland.
“My eldest son, who is seven years old, was especially excited to watch the parade and see the contingents of uniformed bodies, particularly the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM),” he said.
Another visitor, Nurhana Sarkhan, 41, from Subang Jaya, Selangor, praised the water taxi initiative for its convenience and comfort.
“This service is excellent. I really enjoyed riding the water taxi, and the fact that it’s free makes it even better,” she said.
Similarly, Mohd Nasirudin Mohd Zainudin, 37, from Mersing, Johor, described the experience as both memorable and meaningful.
“This is my first time taking a water taxi across Putrajaya Lake, and it was very exciting. The service is safe and well-organised. I hope this initiative continues in future National Day celebrations,” he said.
A Bernama survey found that the water taxi service, which started operating as early as 5 am, ran smoothly according to schedule. Safety measures were well-implemented, with all passengers required to wear life jackets during the journey.
Free water taxi services were available at three routes - Jeti Ayer@8, Precinct 8 to Jeti Monumen, Precinct 2; Putrajaya Marina Jeti, Precinct 5 to Jeti Anjung Floria, Precinct 4 and Kelab Tasik Putrajaya Jeti, Precinct 8 to Jeti JAKIM, Precinct 3.
-- BERNAMA
