The Public Speaks Out in Support of
Ferry Service
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The San
Francisco ferry building will play an integral part in the
plan to expand ferry service throughout the Bay (photo
courtesy Bob Ecker) |
Last month, staff and Board members of the Water
Transit Authority (WTA) visited nine Bay Area counties to hear what
the public had to say about the WTA’s Draft Implementation and
Operations Plan (IOP) which promotes the expansion of existing Bay
Area ferry routes and the creation of seven new routes throughout
the Bay. From avid ferry riders and business owners to
environmentalists and public officials, people from every corner of
the Bay voiced their support for improved and expanded ferry service
and asked thoughtful questions. Based on these comments, the WTA
plans to recommend revisions to the IOP. The plan will then be sent
to the California Legislature for consideration in December 2002.
Here are just a few of the comments collected over
the past few weeks:
City Leaders Show Their Enthusiasm
Mayor of South San Francisco Pedro Gonzalez said,
“South San Francisco believes that the majority of biotechnology
and high technology employment will originate in the East Bay and
that ferry service should emphasize transbay crossing from the East
Bay to Oyster Point Marina and Redwood City.”
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Happy
commuters deboard the ferry on their way to work |
Regulators See Benefits of Improved Water
Transit
“The environmental damage
that will come from increased auto traffic if we don’t expand the
Bay ferry system will far exceed any environmental impacts caused by
the operation of an expanded ferry system—especially one operated
with a high level of environmental sensitivity demonstrated by the
WTA in its planning,” said Will Travis, executive director of the
Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). “We look
forward to continuing to work with and support the WTA as both of us
try to achieve what I think is our common and mutual goal of making
San Francisco Bay better.”
Ferry Riders Share Their Stories
Joe Lucas is a member of the ILWU and has lived in
Contra Costa County for over 50 years. “I work in San Francisco,
and drive to my office every day,” he said. “I have a friend
that lives in Vallejo, and she rides the ferry. When I get to work,
I’m always tired, but she’s just as fresh as a daisy. I very
much approve of your plan— I just hope that you can get it done as
soon as possible.”
Paul Parisi, a resident of Alameda takes the ferry
to San Francisco whenever possible. “It’s economic and easy and
pleasurable,” he said. “I’ve actually introduced people to the
ferry—people who have lived in Alameda for years, and who’ve
never ridden it. They’ve taken the ferry and thanked me for it,
insisting that they’ll take it again in the future.”
Environmentalists Voice Their Appreciation
Francis Barbour Hayden resides in Pt. San Quentin
Village and spoke on behalf of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition
and the Ferry Passenger Advisory Committee for Golden Gate Transit.
“We strongly urge that safe and convenient routes for bicycles and
pedestrians that serve both current and future ferry terminals be
incorporated into the plan as part of the intermodal connectivity,”
she said. “What could be better for the environment than getting
people out of their cars entirely?”
“Bluewater Network is solidly behind the
proposed low-emissions ferry standard of 85 percent below EPA Tier 2
– 2007,” said Teri Shore from Bluewater Network. “The WTA’s
work on ferry expansion is clearly ground breaking and is setting a
model for the nation and the world.”
Business Leaders Support Expanded Water Transit
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Lee Blitch,
President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, was one
of many business leaders who expressed support for expanding
ferry service. |
Lee Blitch, President of the San Francisco Chamber
of Commerce said, “Anything that gets people out of the one person
driving a car across the bridge and puts hundreds on a ferry boat
has got to help the environment. We think it is a no-brainer.”
Jessica Van Gardner, an elected representative to
the Rural Marketing Advisory Committee for the State of California
and employee of the Petaluma Visitors Program and Sonoma County
Tours expressed her support for the proposed Port Sonoma ferry
terminal site. She said, “As a member of the California Round
Table for Recreation, Parks and Tourism, I believe [Port Sonoma] is
integral to connecting all of the wonderful resources that we have.
This is a win-win for all community environmental concerns, and for
different user groups.”
Bay Area Residents Give Plan a “Thumbs Up”
![](../../../Archives/2002/10_November/Images/MarinBoardmembersandStaff.jpg) |
Water
Transit Authority Board members and staff visited all nine
Bay Area counties to hear the public speak and ask questions
about the proposed new ferry system. |
“I am appreciative that you have taken into
consideration things like the ’89 earthquake and other potential
disasters in your planning,” said Frank Tallarita. “When I am
traveling on the freeway and bridges, I often think that it only
takes a minor accident to shut down the Golden Gate, and a fire to
shut down the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge—and the potential is
there for that kind of stuff to happen.”
Karen Dorantes, a Friend of the Richmond Ferry
said, “We’re really excited about the plan because it has the
potential to put clean, safe, efficient, cost-effective boats in the
water that will not only get people to and from the areas they need
to go, but also relieve what’s already become critical mass in
west county… This plan could not have come at a better time.”
If you are interested in finding
out more about expanded ferry service in the Bay, the complete IOP
text is available for viewing at http://www.watertransit.org, or at
the nine main county libraries. Hard copy and CD formats may be
requested by calling (415)291-3377.
Highlights of the WTA’s
Plan to Expand Ferry Service |
![](../../../Archives/2002/10_November/Images/What_is_the_Proposed.jpg) |