A ferry system across the Chesapeake Bay could relieve congestion and improve air quality, but it would cost millions of dollars before turning a profit, experts say.
“It?s going to take state involvement and cooperation on both sides, but this is a good alternative for bringing people across the Bay,” said Mark Rice, president of Baltimore-based Maritime Applied Physics Corp.
Gov. Martin O?Malley has asked the Maryland Department of Transportation to gather all its data and studies on ferries and make some recommendations.
This move comes as state officials look for ways to cross the Bay, including the possibility of a second Maryland bridge span.
“We?re moving forward on this understanding that the establishment of a ferry service would be another tool in the toolbox, another strategy to handle growing traffic demand and congestion,” MDOT spokesman Jack Callahan said.
Industry experts say “people ferries” are in demand, those that take commuters across water to transit stations.
“Even as congestions builds, they?re not going to be building any more bridges and tunnels because they?re too expensive,” said Tom Fox, a co-owner of New York Water Taxi in New York City.
Fox said commuter ferries work only if the right transit infrastructure is in place on both shores. But ferries could help the tourism industry, as many of his customers use his nine boats to visit Big Apple landmarks.
Rice developed a high-speed ferry vessel that can take people from Baltimore City?s Inner Harbor to Rock Hall in Kent County ? about 25 miles ? in 30 minutes, a trip that would take 89 miles and two hours on land.
But to get that system off the ground would take serious capital and determination, experts say. Rice said to operate a two-boat ferry service would cost $10 million and take five “good years” to turn a profit.
“For me to operate one boat, I need city, state and federal permits,” said Fox, who stressed the importance of a public-private partnership when building a ferry system.
These are all questions state officials hope to answer.
“The first step is a preliminary review, which will take about six to eight weeks,” Callahan said. “We?ll then be in a better position to chart our next course.”
