Paris tests new bubble-shaped water taxi

PARIS -- Paris is testing out a new form of travel: an eco-friendly bubble-shaped taxi that zips along the water up and down the Seine River.

Organizers are holding test runs this week on one white, oval-shaped electric hydrofoil boat resembling a tiny space shuttle gliding past Paris monuments.

The boats can fit four passengers, and if they get approved, can be ordered on an app like land taxis, shared bikes or other forms of transport.

Its designers hope to run the so-called Seabubbles commercially in Paris and other cities starting next year.

Anders Bringdal, SeaBubbles CEO, told The Associated Press "the most important thing for us is no noise, no waves, no pollution. And to bring them into cities that are congested."

Bringdal said the water taxi will "not only be fun" but also makes economic sense.

"If you compare a similar size boat with an engine, you are going to run 30, 40, 50 euros an hour in fuel cost when this one costs you $3 or 3 euros," he said.

Proponents see the vehicle as a new model for the fast-changing landscape of urban mobility.