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The Wharf water taxi service to National Harbor starts

By Jeff Clabaugh

WASHINGTON — The Potomac Riverboat Company starts water taxi service from The Wharf to National Harbor on Thursday.

The water taxis began service from The Wharf to the Georgetown Waterfront and Old Town Alexandria during The Wharf’s grand opening in October.

Potomac Riverboat Company, acquired by Chicago-based Entertainment Cruises in 2016, operates four water taxis from The Wharf, each with a capacity of 150 passengers.

Water taxi rates start from $20 round trip, with season passes priced at $175 aimed more at commuters than recreational passengers.

The first departure from The Wharf to National Harbor is 7:15 a.m., and the first departure from National Harbor to The Wharf is at 8:15 a.m.

The one-way trip takes about 35 minutes.

The last boat departs from The Wharf to National Harbor at 10:50 p.m., and the last boat from National Harbor to The Wharf departs at 11:40 p.m.

The Potomac Riverboat Company water taxis depart from Transit Pier, near The Anthem music venue.

Water taxi rates start from $20 round trip, with season passes priced at $175 aimed more at commuters than recreational passengers. (Credit: Potomac Riverboat Company)

In addition to the water taxi services to National Harbor, Georgetown and Old Town, The Wharf itself operates The Wharf Jitney, a small, electric-powered ferry that shuttles passengers to East Potomac Park and Hains Point in about three minutes twice an hour.

The Jitney, which is both dog and bike-friendly, is free.

Top priority is ‘stopping data centers’: Loudoun Supervisor Juli Briskman announces run for board chair

By Neal Augenstein
In the so-called “data center capital of the world,” Algonkian District Supervisor Juli Briskman told WTOP she will run for chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in Virginia next year, with a top priority of “stopping data centers.” Briskman’s announcement sets up a potential Democratic primary against current board chair Phyllis Randall, who has held the position for nearly 11 years. “I’ve been trying to push back on the unconstrained, uncontrolled growth of data centers in the county,” Briskman said during an interview at her home. “I think the current chair and current leadership on Loudoun County’s board of supervisors has been very pro-data center and missing opportunities to have a balance.” According to Loudoun County’s 2026 Data Center Guidelines report, there are 209 completed data center buildings, with more under construction. The county’s Department of Economic Development says data center actual tax revenues in FY24 totaled $875 million, which is $35 million more than the county’s general operations budget.
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