Hampton Roads Transit Welcomes Two New Ferries

Hampton Roads Transit, Norfolk, VA, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently to celebrate the arrival of two new ferries. Nearly a hundred people gathered on the dock at Waterside to help welcome Elizabeth River Ferries VI and VII to the fleet.

“Public transit plays a vital role in moving the region forward,” said Benjamin Simms IV, chief operating officer of Hampton Roads Transit. “The Elizabeth River Ferry is integral to the mission of Hampton Roads Transit and the success of the cities it serves.”

Each year, the ferry brings tens of thousands of people to the Waterside District and Downtown Portsmouth for work and entertainment, carrying nearly 17 million passengers since service began in 1983.

Ferries VI and VII were built by St. John’s Ship Building Inc. in Palatka, FL, at a cost of $6.4 million for both—paid for using federal, state, and local resources.