Text and video by Colette Ghunim Out of all the time-crushing options to get around Cairo – taxis, cars, buses, and the semi-faster microbuses – another mode of transportation is gaining popularity among both Egyptians and foreigners alike. Nile Taxi, a company founded in 2010, utilizes boats in the Nile River to transport people both quickly and safely. According to The World Bank Group, over $US 8 billion are wasted every year on traffic congestion, which is four percent of Egypt’s total GDP. There are three types of services available: the scheduled service, on-call and weekend boats. The scheduled service boats offer specific times to board at various locations. They work like microbuses, so passengers must wait for them to fill up at the loading dock before moving. On-call allows passengers to make a reservation for the time they need. Weekend boats travel to specific touristic places, such as Virgin Mary’s Church, which is the oldest church on the Nile. Depending on the arrival and departure destinations, the trips cost between 15-35 EGP. A trip from Dokki to Zamalek costs 15 pounds, while a trip from Maadi to Zamalek costs 35…
