Two new passenger boats should treble the Thames’ river transport capacity between west and central London – MBNA Thames Clippers bosses have revealed.

Galaxy Clipper and Neptune Clipper – built in Australia for £6.5million – were shifted more than 15,000 miles to their new home on London’s busy river late last month.

The high-speed catamarans, which take 150 passengers each, are the first new vessels to be added to the MBNA Thames Clipper fleet in seven years. Lightweight Galaxy and Neptune have sleek hulls. They represent a significant enhancement of London’s river fleet. They’re the latest addition to the capital’s commuter travel infrastructure, including the installation of Oyster card readers at all river bus service piers and the forthcoming opening of the new

Plantation Wharf Pier, a brand new stop for MBNA Thames Clippers.

The new boats are the most efficient and technically advanced river buses on the Thames. They will add extra capacity to the popular RB6 route from Blackfriars to Putney, which has already seen a 40% increase in passenger journeys over the last 12 months.

Galaxy and Neptune will also be used on other routes during periods of high demand. Our chief executive Robin Mortimer said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Galaxy and Neptune Clipper to the Thames. This multimillion pound investment just goes to show how busy the river is and how essential it is to London’s tourists and commuters.”