By Guy Span, S.D.

The cancellation of the Transportation Congestion Relief Fund as proposed by the governor’s draft budget would have only minimal effect upon Vallejo’s new ferry now under construction. That’s because the transit District, nimbly enough, managed to collect the vast bulk of the funds before the spigot was turned off.

However, if Regional Measure 2 (the additional $1 toll on area bridges) fails to pass, there will not be enough operating funds to expand to a three-boat service. Thus, in the absence of RM-2, the new boat will be used as a back up. But in backup service, since the new vessel can operate at the same speed as the two other faster vessels, there will not need to be a schedule change, as is required when using the MV Vallejo.

The real problem for the service comes from its high fare box recovery. That is, the district funds from 60 to 75 percent of its operating costs from ticket sales. With ridership down from the stumbling economy, the income has taken a hit. If this continues, it may force a reevaluation of certain runs for profitability.