CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Metroparks' water taxi service is wrapping up its first season in the Flats. The service began Memorial Day weekend and shuttled people between the east and west banks of the Cuyahoga River during limited hours Thursday through Sunday.

The park system hopes to keep the taxi service going through September or longer, weather permitting.

Through Aug. 20, the water taxi provided 25,433 rides (and several thousand more since, thanks to festivals in and around the Flats).

The service, which cost more than $1.4 million to launch (docks, boat, etc.) and operate this year, has generated around $40,000 in revenue. People get unlimited rides for $2 per day.

The Metroparks didn't expect to recoup its costs. The park system, however, hoped to attract sponsorships to help defray its costs. That has not happened yet.

The Metroparks dreams of adding stops along the Cuyahoga River someday, perhaps at Merwin's Wharf or at the old Coast Guard Station. But that could be a long way off because adding stops costs money.

I asked for a breakdown of ridership trends, but the Metroparks said such an analysis won't be available until after the season, when the park system will evaluate possible changes for next year.

Riders have had two complaints. The trip is short - just over a minute when there's no traffic on the river. (The Metroparks offers extended river tours on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, but seats fill up fast.)

Riders also complain that the service shuts down at 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Riders who didn't pay attention to the closing time have been forced to walk or take a taxi back to their cars.

The Metroparks' boat captains repeatedly alert riders to the cutoff times - a message also reinforced by several signs.

Have you taken a ride? What do you think of the service so far? Comment below.