People in downtown Chicago can skip the street traffic for a boat ride between Madison Street and Michigan Avenue. Water taxi service returns to the Chicago River today.

It is spring, and it is sunny. But still temperatures linger around the mid-30s. Not perfect conditions for a little cruise down the Chicago River. Good enough, though, for the four other passengers on the boat. Chris Calip paid the $2 fare to relax a little during his lunch break.

CALIP: I enjoy the water. So it’s more I’ve been depressed during the winter and this is just wonderful really.

A private company runs the service which starts around seven in the morning and ends in the early evening. The boat route spans just over one mile across the Chicago River with stops at Madison Street, LaSalle Street and Michigan Avenue. Daily services run through November.