The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will reduce service frequency beginning July 8 indefinitely due to staffing shortages.
The Virginia Department of Transportation cited an industry-wide shortage of “critical, certified maritime positions” as a reason for the reduced service, according to a news release. The free ferry will operate 24 hours per day 365 days per year “for as long as possible.”
Beginning July 8, there will be hourly rides until about 3 p.m. each day, and then rides will begin to be offered every 25 minutes. Hourly rides will resume around 8 p.m.
The ferry takes motorists both directions across the James River between Surry County and Jamestown. A ferry trip takes about 20 minutes.
Though operations will be reduced, there will always be at least one ferry running, and an additional ferry will operate from 2-8:30 p.m. each day, VDOT said.
Motorists can expect delays and “are encouraged to use VDOT’s free 511Virginia.org website and mobile app, or the free 511-integrated Waze GPS app, to check for the most up-to-date travel conditions to plan their routes before hitting the road,” the release said.
Alternate routes include the James River Bridge (Route 17), the Benjamin Harrison Bridge (Route 156) and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (I-664).
VDOT is recruiting to fill the open positions. Those interested in applying can find more information at shorturl.at/xlSun.
For more information on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, including the full updated schedule, visit JSFerry.org.
Sam Schaffer, samuel.schaffer@virginiamedia.com
