Will DC Area Residents Commute by Water? An article recently published in the Washington Post discusses commuter ferries in Washington, DC, and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's work to study the viability of a ferry system to ease pressure on the roadways

Read the article...

On September 23, 2010, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) conducted the first stakeholder meeting for a Commuter Ferry Service on the Potomac.  There were 75 participants at the meeting which was held on board the Cherry Blossom, a replica of a Mississippi River paddle wheeler, owned by the Potomac Riverboat Company.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR); the Naval District of Washington; military installations including: Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Support Facility at Indian Head, the Coast Guard; numerous local and elected government officials; trade groups; and the private sector.

The purpose of the meeting was to determine the level of interest in establishing a stakeholders group and proceeding with developing regional implementation plans.  The ultimate goal is to realize a viable commuter ferry service that will relieve traffic congestion on Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia roads.

The meeting included presentations and discussions that summarized the current state of affairs, the overview of the 2009 grant funded Commuter Ferry Feasibility study, the types of vessels required to meet the unusual conditions of the Potomac, potential ferry ports, the capital and operating costs of establishing and operating a ferry service, and possible funding sources.

• Download the Meeting Agenda
• Download a Summary Report of the Meeting
• Download Presentations:
  • Commuter Ferry Feasibility Study
    • Presented by Ricardo Canizales, Transportation Planning Manager for Prince William County, and Cody Smith, Engineering Department Head for the Fairfax office of Greenhorne & O'Mara
  • FCommerce:  A Perspective on Water Transportation for the NCR
    • Presented by Mr. Willem Polak, President of Potomac Riverboat Company