Comments on Relive a pretty afternoon on the ballpark ferry - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Maurice

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:17:04 EDT

Great pics!

Comment by Alan B

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:21:58 EDT

For a water taxi to take off there would have to be a lot of high dense.ity development facing the Potomac on both sides of the river. It's a nice amenity but I don't see it becoming a transportation workhorse any time soon.

Comment by Kurt Smith

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 20:45:43 EDT

This sounds like a great date thing, certainly better than using the Metro. Don't know if I would use it if I was in a hurry to get to the game or home afterward though.

Comment by Tina

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:17:31 EDT

@Kolohe, the boat in the picture is a pontoon boat capable of navigating very shallow water. That boat does not need any dredging done for it to pass. As far as docks suitable for this type of boat; they're not that expensive. A couple thousand bucks will get a decent dock.

Comment by Tim Krepp

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:09:08 EDT

@Kolohe Perhaps, but the infrastructure stuff on the Potomac River is going to be built and maintained whether water taxis work or not. So while the infrastructure isn't free, it's already bought and paid for.

Comment by Kolohe

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:28:51 EDT

"dcdriver....cheaper in what way? How many billions did it cost to build the ferry a highway or subway tunnel? The infrastructure for ferries is almost free."

Unless the passengers are storming the beaches a la Normandy, they're going to need piers. And the vessels are going to need Navaids, dredged channels, channel surveys to make sure the channels are still dredged, safety and rescue infrastructure (it's a bit different safety wise if a Metrobus breaks down on the side of the road vs a problem on the water)

The license and certification requirements for passenger vessels are also a lot higher, and a lot more expensive. (than say, for a bus) As is insurance.

Boats are fun, but they are also a heck of lot of work. A Cabi trip from the same point to point that the author took would take about the same amount of time (just under 30 min), and cost $0 (after a membership fee). But would not have as nice views and pix, I grant you.

Comment by H Street LL

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:22:30 EDT

Amazing photos!

Comment by JJJ

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:34:58 EDT

Great pictures. Just wish the name was more accurate though....its a ferry, not a water taxi. Water taxis operate on demand, ferries operate on fixed routes. Why confuse people with their branding?

@dcdriver....cheaper in what way? How many billions did it cost to build the ferry a highway or subway tunnel? The infrastructure for ferries is almost free.

Comment by Jay Roberts

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:14:55 EDT

The "Baseball Boat" out of Old Town Alexandria is popular and it's nice to arrive on the slow side of the park.

When I take Metro, I'm always tempted to leave 8th inning or so. But with the water taxi, I relax and enjoy the whole game. Then an easy walk down to the pier, and the ride home is relaxing.

Comment by m2fc

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:27:46 EDT

I love the symmetry in the Lincoln and Washington shot.

Comment by dcdriver

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:03:21 EDT

Washington's growing fleet of water taxis are useful as transportation

Useful? In what possible way? Getting a few people to Nats games when there are already other cheaper and quicker transportation options?

By the way, I went over the the American River Taxi website and found that they are essentially shut down, with the exception of advance charters and special tours, until next March.

What an incredibly useful part of the transportation infrastructure of this city!

Comment by Arl Fan

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:51:27 EDT

Did the Nats win?

Comment by thump

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:41:07 EDT

How long was the trip?

Comment by Richard Layman

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:26:08 EDT

Nice job as always with your photography. Thanks.