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.
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.
Published: November, 2002
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.”
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
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”
“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.
Happy commuters deboard the ferry on their way to work
The San Francisco ferry building will play an integral part in the plan to expand ferry service throughout the Bay (photo courtesy Bob Ecker)
