HD16 - Feasibility and Desirability of Providing Certain Improvements to Ferry Service Between Jamestown and Scotland

  • Published: 1989
  • Author: Department of Transportation
  • Enabling Authority: House Resolution 5 (Regular Session, 1988)

Executive Summary:
House Resolution No. 5 of the 1988 General Assembly requests that the Virginia Department of Transportation, with the assistance of the State Division of Tourism, consider enhancements to the ferry service across the James River between Jamestown and Scotland. These enhancements include but are not limited to:

1. providing tasteful, nautically appropriate uniforms for boat crews and other personnel involved in ferry operations;

2. showing brief tourist-oriented films on Virginia attractions;

3. installing telephones for the use of business travelers,

4. selling postcards and stamps and providing facilities for mailing cards and letters;

5. selling t-shirts, souvenirs, and various Virginia-made products;

6. selling refreshments during the river crossing or while travelers are waiting to cross the river;

7. installing kiosks for the distribution of pamphlets and informational brochures; and

8. installing coin operated telescopes so that travelers may more closely observe the scenic beauty of the historic James River.

The ferry service began on February 26, 1925 as a private venture. The Virginia Department of Transportation took over the operation in 1945 and has operated it continuously since. Service operates from 5:00 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. on weekdays. On weekends, service begins at 5:40 a.m. with the last trip at 12:30 a.m. from the Jamestown side. The average crossing time is 15 minutes.

In 1988 traffic varied from a low of 1,050 vehicles a day to a high of 2,800 vehicles a day. A single trip costs $2.00. There is also a 20 trip commuter book available for $5.00.

The Department operates four ferries. These are the Surry, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Jamestown. The Virginia and Jamestown are primarily older boats used as standbys. Approximately 80% of the trips are on the Surry and the Williamsburg and the enhancements discussed will be limited to these boats.

The remainder of this response addresses each enhancement listed in the House Resolution No. 5, as well as three additional enhancements proposed by the Department.