With nearly all major regional media outlets and 65 masked volunteers in attendance, the leaders of Friends of Frog Ferry announced their plans for a pilot project between the Cathedral Park and RiverPlace docks. The 25-minute, 6.5 nautical mile Monday through Friday service targets commuters in the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods who work in downtown Portland, at OHSU in South Waterfront and PSU students and faculty.

That said, everyone is welcome to book a ticket, and the intention is to run a Saturday service for residents who want to get out on the water and experience river travel.

Ticket prices are anticipated to be $3 for adults and $2 for honored citizens, with kids traveling for free. The FF team is working on a Project Plan and an Operations Plan in Summer 2021 while reaching out to prospective sponsors. Pending the FTA grant award this fall, Frog Ferry will issue an RFP for a boat builder and a ferry operator.

The pilot project is a three-year venture: one year beginning now through summer/fall 2022, and a two-year ferry operation from then onwards through fall 2024. The total cost is approximately $9.5 million, with $1.5 million coming from ticket and concession sales, $3.3 million requested of the Federal Transportation Administration Passenger Ferry Grant Program and $500,000 from an ODOT Statewide Transit Infrastructure grant. The remaining approximately $4 million will need to be raised this year through ARPA funding, foundations, private donations and corporate sponsorships.