CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) – The future of ferry service linking Penn’s Landing with the Camden Waterfront is being debated between the agency that now provides it and two others that wouldn’t mind taking it over.

The RiverLink ferry is run by the Delaware River Port Authority, through a private contractor, and operates from May through September. This year, business was down and the DRPA is looking to focus on just running their four toll bridges and PATCO.

Enter the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, who, along with a counterpart organization in Camden, would like to not only provide the service, but maybe expand it.

“If there is an opportunity for them to basically take over the operation, if that’s the conclusion, that’s something we’re going to take to our respective boards and talk about it,” says DRPA CEO John Matheussen, who is in discussions over the concept.

Tom Corcoran, DRWC president, says, “Our long term interests is to have a ferry service that operates at least nine months a year, day in-day out on a regularly scheduled basis.”

All three agencies are talking about the ferry’s future, which includes some badly needed dock work. Their boards would have to approve any possible agreement; they hope to hammer one out over the winter.

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060