Are Transportation Funds for a Potomac River Ferry Service a Wise Investment?
Overview The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted a Passenger Ferry Boat Feasibility Study, from November 1, 1999, to February 28, 2000, to determine the feasibility of operating high-speed passenger ferry boat service on the Potomac River. The cost of this study was about $500,000 the same level of funding a study of the tunnel alternative to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would require. The study concluded that, for a Woodbridge-to-Navy Yard route, 600 passengers would use the proposed ferry service daily with a one-way fare of $5, and the service would require a subsidy of about $10. This is clearly a lower return for the dollar spent then the Metro service enhancement plan which would increase access to the District by 80,000 workers with a subsidy of about $1.00 a trip. U.S. Congressmen Frank Wolf and Tom Davis sponsored legislation in October 1998 for grant funding to study the development of a high-speed passenger ferry boat service on the Potomac River between Wood
