Thames Clipper - Daily Commute for Primary School

[EuropeanMongrel]

We are looking at some properties on the Isle of Dogs near Masthouse Pier while our DS is starting school on the other side of the river.
The Pier is 5 mins walk away and the Pier on the school end is just a little more than 5 mins.
I used to commute with one of the Thames Clippers services but only in the evening so was never concerned about punctuality.

From experience some of the services can be affected by (very) adverse weather and they are nowhere near as regular as most Tube/Overground services but all in all a very pleasant commute.

However taking our DS to primary school to make it for 9am...Is that something people have experience of?

No, but following as we are thinking about doing the same thing (different pier though!).

I know someone who did this. I think in the 7 years of primary they were late a handful of times. It's a lovely way to travel. Uber has taken over the running of the service now and their app is pretty good (I use the service a fair bit). It gives you real time updates. The service runs more frequently now due to the sheer number of people living on the routes in all the new builds along the river.

You could always do a bit of research. Download the app and check it every day to see what the service is actually like. And obviously work out what your 'back up' journey would be if it doesn't run.

I would also check that you've done the sums in terms of how much it costs to travel on the boat every day - that's the one drawback!

Pretty cool commute.

I have very fond memories of commuting home with the Hilton (now Doubletree) Ferry for several years which is why I am considering it. :) Was just thinking it might be a bit more of a stress experience as a school run.

https://www.thamesclippers.com/commuters/commuter-tickets#season

Good point. We need to stay in the East zone. Another downside is that the service is not free for children (5 to 15). Instead they get a 50% discount.
For my DS and I, for a yearly ticket that would be £100 a month.
I would need to factor in the times my partner would likely pick him up.

I'm so jealous, we visit London a couple of times a year and the highlight of the whole thing for me is the Uber boat

Before my office moved, I enjoyed using the clipper for my last week, o2 to Bankside. It was so lovely.
Too expensive for me to do full time but staying in the east zone it's not so bad.

Would you be close enough to the dlr to use as backup?

Yes fortunately East zone covers all requirements. I also work in Canary Wharf.

There are good primary schools on isle of dogs. canary wharf college, st luke's, st edmunds, may be worth considering