TakingWaterTransitto
the Streets
Grassroots Support for Ferries in Albany
& Berkeley
![](Images/Activists%20Wave.jpg) |
Ferry
supporters show a different type of wave from that
envisioned on their t-shirts: “The Berkeley Ferry;
The Wave of the Future.” |
Albany and Berkeley residents are more than
just enthusiastic about bringing ferry service to their
communities. In fact, some want it so much they’ll even set
up ironing boards at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza to distribute
materials promoting the benefits of expanded service. Linda
Perry, a member of Friends of the Berkeley Ferry, acutely
recognized the value of water transit during a BART strike in
the early 70’s and then again following the 1989 Loma Prieta
earthquake. “The earthquake hit at the time my husband
usually crossed the Bay Bridge, heading home from work,”
Perry explained. “I waited anxiously for word from him as he
worked his way across the Golden Gate and Richmond Bridges, a
trip that took many folks almost 12 hours. It became evident
then that ferries were crucial for quick, efficient emergency
response.” Temporary ferry service following the quake
allowed Perry’s husband to continue working while the Bay
Bridge was repaired. “Ferry service provides a necessary
alternative to driving over the Bay Bridge,” she said. To
this day, Perry frequently sets up her ironing board in front
of markets and other public places to distribute ferry
literature to the community.
![](Images/T-Shirt%20Sample.jpg) |
You,
too, could be a visible ferry supporter and even own
this t-shirt. Contact Berkeley Ferry Committee: (510)
525-1743. |
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“There is no ‘one
shoe fits all’ answer in the world of
transportation,” Berkeley Waterfront Commission’s
Chair Paul Kamen said. “The Berkeley community needs
transit options that provide easy access to centers of
activity.” |
![](../../../images/Line.gif) |
As part of its effort to develop an expanded
ferry system in the Bay Area, the Water Transit Authority (WTA)
is studying a potential ferry terminal in the Albany/Berkeley
area. The waterfront in this vicinity is easily accessible
from San Pablo Avenue, a main bus corridor. Because the
waterfront area is located about a mile from residential
communities, many residents could conveniently begin their
morning commute by walking, biking or busing to the ferry.
According to surveys the WTA commissioned, ridership demand in
Berkeley, projected to the year 2025, is among the highest of
all viable new sites under consideration for ferry service.
Anyone who’s driven on the I-80 and I-580
corridor through Berkeley heading toward San Francisco/Oakland
knows that it looks more like a parking lot than a freeway.
The need to reduce this congestion plus the fact that BART
will soon exceed capacity make strong arguments for expanding
ferry service. The idea has gained strong grassroots support,
with citizen activists in Albany and Berkeley. They express
their support for ferry service by educating community
members, public agencies and elected officials about its
benefits. Supporters of expanding ferry service to their
community hail from a broad range of constituencies.
Representing a variety of interests, from transportation and
the environment to accessibility and bicycling—they all
agree that ferry service in Albany/Berkeley makes sense.
Different Perspectives, One Goal
Paul Kamen, Chair of the Berkeley Waterfront
Commission, believes that ferries are an integral part of a
complete urban transportation system. “There is no ‘one
shoe fits all’ answer in the world of transportation,”
Kamen said. “The Berkeley community needs transit options
that provide easy access to centers of activity.”
Another member of the diverse Berkeley
community, Dave Campbell, said,“Ferry service in Berkeley is
perfectly suited to bicycle commuters in the East Bay.” Vice
Chair of East Bay Bicycle Coalition, Campbell has been
commuting by bicycle for 15 years. He explains that bikes are
one of the most eco-friendly forms of transportation. Yet lack
of access to the Bay Bridge limits riders’ ability to use
this option for commuting. “Cyclists could ride to the
terminal, cross the water by ferry, and hop back on their
bikes to work. Ferries have always had enough space to store
bikes!”
![](Images/Linda%20&%20Iron%20Board.jpg) |
Berkeley
ferry activist Linda Perry with her ironing board and
literature at a public market, trying to get drivers
to trade in their SUV’s for a ferry ticket. |
The hard work and dedication of local
advocates has paid off with endorsements from various advisory
bodies. Berkeley’s Waterfront Commission, Parks and
Recreation Commission, Disaster Council, Commission on
Disability, Commission on Aging and Transportation Commission
have each adopted resolutions supporting the WTA in studying
environmentally-responsible ferry service from the
Albany/Berkeley waterfront to San Francisco and other
destinations. Advocates are even making headway with an
otherwise intractable City Council that has been deadlocked on
whom to pick as Berkeley’s voice with the WTA. Specifically,
after hearing a presentation on the WTA’s work, Berkeley’s
Transportation Commission recommended that the City Council
assign its Assistant City Manager for Transportation, Peter
Hillier to the WTA’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The
CAC, comprised mainly of elected officials from cities that
either have current ferry service or are being considered for
new ferry service, is one of the WTA’s two advisory boards.
Albany Waterfront Commissioner and ferry
activist Jerri Holan felt that studying a potential ferry
terminal in the Albany/Berkeley area was so important that she
took the matter straight to the Albany City Council. After
listening to Holan discuss the benefits that local ferry
service would provide the city and its residents, the council
moved to actively support WTA’s efforts. The Albany council
selected Allan Maris, former Albany Mayor and current council
member, to represent Albany on the WTA’s CAC.
![](Images/Maris%20Loading%20Bike%20on%20Bus.jpg) |
Albany
Councilmember Allan Maris demonstrates how easy it
would be to deboard a ferry and continue the trip with
his bicycle on an AC Transit bus. (special thanks to
Berkeley City Council member Miriam Hawley, District
5; and to AC Transit for making a bus available for
this shot) |
In reference to the WTA’s extensive public
input process, Councilmember Maris explained, “The WTA is
really making an effort to listen to communities that will be
served by expanded water transit. This process, combined with
WTA’s detailed studies, will help them develop a more
responsive and effective ferry system.” He said that ferries
would offer Albany commuters an additional transportation
alternative and help decrease traffic on area freeways; yet he
also admitted that locating a terminal in the area can provide
some challenges. For instance, at various public meetings
around the Berkeley area, some residents have voiced concerns
about ferries disturbing wildlife, potentially adding harmful
emissions to air pollution, bringing cars into sensitive
shoreline areas, and creating wake damage. Tasked with a
mandate from the State Legislature to design an
environmentally responsible ferry system, the WTA is just as
motivated as those voicing public concern. The Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) that the agency is preparing for the
expanded ferry system examines all types of potential issues
including impacts to the shoreline, rafting ducks, harbor
seals and air quality. The draft EIR, available for public
review and comment starting in August, 2002, will contain
appropriate recommendations for mitigation where necessary.
Addressing Environmental Concerns
Berkeley has always been on the forefront of
environmental consciousness. This attitude is especially
evident in their approach to transportation planning. The city
actively promotes non-polluting modes of travel and annually
celebrates “Try Transit Week.” Berkeley TRiP, a joint
project of the City and the University of California, promotes
the use of alternate transportation in an effort to relieve
traffic congestion. Thus, it’s no wonder that the community
embraces the idea of ferry service as yet another attractive
option to get people out of their cars.
Developing a ferry system to serve the
greatest possible number of people is not without obstacles.
But, Margaret Mead doubtless had Berkeley/Albany ferry
advocates in mind when she said: “Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful committed people can change the world:
indeed it’s the only thing that ever has!”