On Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, the operating hours for the Canby Ferry will change to 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. Each day, the ferry will pause service from 1-1:30 p.m. for a staff lunch break.
The change in hours comes from board direction to reduce operating costs for the ferry. The cost to ride the ferry will remain the same.
In 2018, staff evaluated the long-term financial and traffic impacts of potential alternatives for crossing the Willamette River at the ferry location through a feasibility study. These choices included continuing business as usual, building a bridge with and without ferry service, building a toll bridge with and without ferry service, and discontinuing ferry service. The Board of County Commissioners chose not to pursue the potential alternatives further, but did direct staff to evaluate ways to reduce the cost of running the ferry and to explore outside funding options.
By changing the hours to open later and close earlier, the Transportation Maintenance Division can reduce the number of staff needed to maintain ferry service. These changes will reduce the deficit to run the ferry by approximately $100,000 a year – a 25 percent reduction in needed support from the county road fund. The annual cost of operating the Canby Ferry is approximately $600,000, with $400,000 covered by the county road fund. While some reduction in revenue is expected by reducing the off-peak hours of operation, reallocating these funds will benefit the 1,400-mile county road network.
The Canby Ferry crosses the Willamette River between Canby and Wilsonville. The ferry runs seven days a week except on major holidays and when the water level rises to 70 feet or higher, or during inclement weather.
Check the ferry schedule, purchase a punch card and subscribe to email updates at www.bit.ly/canbyferry.
