Ferry
News
Federal Funding Includes First Fuel-Cell Ferry and
Other Maritime Projects
Federal Funding in the Omnibus
Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2003 includes items of
significance to Bay Area ferry riders. The grants, secured under the
leadership of Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senators Barbara Boxer
and Diane Feinstein, include:
* $2.5 million from the Federal
Highway Administration’s appropriation to the San Francisco Water
Transit Authority (WTA) for the construction of the world’s first
fuel-cell operated ferry. With this grant, attention will now turn
to creating public/private partnerships to complete the funding for
the boat. In the meantime, the naval architectural and marine
engineering firm, John J. McMullen Associates, is completing the
design of the zero-emission ferry. If all goes well, construction of
the fuel-cell operated boat may go out to bid early in 2004, with
the possibility that a 49-passenger fuel-cell ferry may be in
operation on San Francisco Bay between Treasure Island and San
Francisco by the year 2005. Mary Culnane, WTA’s manager of marine
engineering, emphasized that "This is an exciting opportunity
for the Bay Area to lead the world in reducing the ferry industry’s
reliance on foreign oil, and, at the same time, relieving the
environment of toxic pollutants."
* $500,000 from the Federal
Highway Administration’s appropriation to the Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway and Transportation District for a lay berthing facility at
the San Francisco Ferry Terminal. The additional berth will permit
ferries to lay over in San Francisco during the mid-day slack period
without having to return to Larkspur Landing.
* $1 million to help with
the restoration of the three-masted 1895 lumber schooner, C. A.
Thayer, at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park of the
National Park Service. This federally-owned ship, one of the last
vessels of its type, was used to ship lumber for the rebuilding of
San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake. Today, the C.A. Thayer is
used extensively for an educational program for tens of thousands of
local school children each year. It is expected to be in dry dock
for up to three years for its restoration.
Golden Gate Cuts Bus Service
Financial problems are mounting
for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District as
patronage on ferries and buses, as well as the bridge itself,
declines as a result of the economic slowdown and as expenses rise
with the seismic retrofitting of the bridge and increased security
matters.
The district plans to bring its $202 million,
five-year projected shortfall into balance by $57 million in revenue
generation (toll and fare increases) and $145 in expenses
reductions, especially the reduction of transit services. The most
under-utilized of the district’s 59 bus routes were identified for
possible elimination, and after extensive public input, the Board
authorized the elimination of 13 bus routes, effective last month.
Further service reductions are anticipated for the Fall of this
year. No indication has been given on what changes can be expected
in ferry service. Nor has there been any recent discussion regarding
the institution of parking fees at Larkspur Landing. But stay tuned!
