Looking to offer employees a potential traffic-free commuting option? Many employers would. And it may not be as unrealistic as you think. Supporters of a new proposal say electric ferries on the Potomac River could cut travel times substantially.
The concept, as presented to the , would use electric hydrofoil ferries to connect waterfront destinations including Georgetown, The Wharf, Navy Yard, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor. The proposal is supported by the DC Mobility Innovation District, the Navy Yard BID, Southwest BID, and Georgetown DC BID.
According to the presentation, this type of hydrofoil lifts the vessel above the water, producing virtually no wake even at speeds of 25 knots or greater. Large portions of DC waterways have no-wake zones and, in these zones, powered boats can only travel up to 6 mph. Electric hydrofoils would potentially be exempt from these speed restriction and as a result cut travel times from Georgetown to Navy Yard, via The Wharf, from the current 45 minute trip to 24 minutes.
For the benefit of employees, it is important for employers to be updated on future transit options. Be that as it may, many questions need to be addressed before hydrofoil ferries could become a feasible option for commuters in the region.
Ferry proposals in the metropolitan Washington region have surfaced before and faced significant challenges such as locating sustainable sources of funding and establishing convenient connections to Metro and other transit services. As a result, the practicality of ferry service may depend on how easily commuters can access terminals and whether destinations are located near the waterfront. COG Please keep a lookout for upcoming newsletter articles and Case Studies on the Employer Outreach page of the Commuter Connection website for any further updates.
For more information on the Hydrofoil proposal, please see the presentation to the COG Board “Passenger Fast Ferry Service in the National Capital Region” and the WJLA News 7 article by John Gonzalez published October 23, 2026.
