After two years of technical study and public outreach, the Water Transit Authority (WTA) announced completion of its draft ten-year plan (Implementation and Operations Plan) and Draft Environmental Impact Report for ferry expansion in San Francisco Bay. The agency plans to hold eleven hearings to invite public comment on these documents. (See inside front page for details).
Published: September, 2002
After two years of technical study and public outreach, the Water Transit Authority (WTA) announced completion of its draft ten-year plan (Implementation and Operations Plan) and Draft Environmental Impact Report for ferry expansion in San Francisco Bay. The agency plans to hold eleven hearings to invite public comment on these documents. (See inside front page for details).
Senator Don Perata, author of the 1999 legislation creating the WTA commented, “The State of California made a huge investment in studying how ferries can give Bay Area commuters and recreational visitors more transit options. The opportunity to build a water transit system for the region’s future is exciting. I’m pleased by all the hard work, top expertise and public participation that has gone into the WTA’s plan.”
WHAT’S NEW?
NEW BOATS AND ROUTES
The WTA is recommending expanding existing ferry routes as well as adding seven new routes, all with convenient transit connections at each end of the trip. If approved and funded, the new system is expected to deliver 25,000 daily trips, tripling ferry ridership by year 2025 to 12 million annual passengers. It would take exponentially more buses competing with traffic on the state bridges to transport the same number of daily passengers expected to be carried by 31 new boats. New service could begin as early as 2008, three years after the WTA expects to obtain funding.
Charlene Haught Johnson, President of the WTA’s Board of Directors said, “This is a well-though plan and a sensible transportation investment that will make a difference for Bay Area residents. From our market studies, we know that people will leave their cars to ride this ferry system.”
New boats will range in size from 149-passenger to 350-passenger boats. Boats will be designed to allow passengers to board from both the front as well as the side of the boat to speed passenger loading and to allow maximum flexibility in case of emergencies. The WTA is recommending more frequent schedules for boats, in both peak and non-peak hours, so that passengers have greater flexibility.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Using advanced equipment, the Bay Area’s new fleet of boats will be ten times cleaner than the existing fleet of ferries. These stringent emissions requirements will surpass the national Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for marine engines in 2007 by 85%. The WTA will require this standard from boat-builders and has also budgeted an extra $1 million per boat to pay for emissions reduction technology.
Zero Emissions Ferries
The WTA is moving towards “the electric future” to eliminate the industry’s dependency on diesel fuel and its pollutants.
Using $100,000 in grant money obtained from the Federal Highway Administration, the WTA is designing the world’s first zero-emission fuel cell powered boat scheduled for Treasure Island service. With the help of the Bay Area Congressional Delegation, the WTA is seeking more money to build this boat.
NEW CONNECTIONS, NEW TERMINALS
The WTA’s plan sets aside 25% of its operating budget to cover the cost of bus and shuttle connections to and from ferry terminals.
In designing terminals, the WTA prioritized pedestrian and bicycle access to encourage walking and biking. The Plan also seeks to promote sensible land use, resulting in Water Transit Oriented Development.
Future terminals will be standardized for a more familiar and predictable passenger experience. Shoreline access will be enhances for both passengers and shoreline users. A standard modular design has been developed to fit into the features of specific locations and community aesthetics.
San Francisco’s Downtown Ferry Terminal, the major hub of the proposed system will see a five-fold increase in passengers. The WTA’s budget includes $18 million of proposed of improvements to add docks and improve access.
NEW FUNDING
The cost of the proposed expansion is $665 million over ten years, with $428 million in capital costs. Annual operating costs are estimated at $3 million in year one to $46 million in year 10.
“Ferries will cost less money per new transit rider than any other current plan for relieving transbay congestion,” said the WTA’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Bertken.
The primary source of new funds is a proposed toll increase to State owned bridges, which is being considered to fund new transit expansion including BART and express buses. The Legislature is expected to consider this proposal in 2003. Voters would be asked to approve the increase in a 2004 regional election.
The WTA is working with the Bay Area’s Congressional Delegation to double the federal money available for ferries. The WTA will also work with local communities in helping identify other funding sources like dedicating a portion of sales tax for transit, and securing contributions from developers.
