Governor Gray Davis proposes $12 million for the new Bay Area Water Transit Authority's first year of operation.
Published: February, 2000
The $12 million is included as a line item in the Governor's proposed budget for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year. Provided it is approved by the State Legislature, this funding will enable the new Water Transit Authority to begin the detailed technical work necessary to complete the Implementation and Operations Plan required by Senate Bill 428 which established the Authority.
This comprehensive implementation and Operations Plan must include:
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A detailed description of the proposed ferry system including all routes and terminals to be operated during the first 10 years. |
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Detailed ridership estimates for each of the proposed routes |
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A cost effectiveness evaluation for each proposed route and for the system as a whole. |
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Design criteria for vessels and a procurement plan for acquiring the needed vessels. |
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A Safety Plan for vessel operations developed in cooperation with the U. S. Coast Guard. |
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Design criteria and standards for all proposed terminals and landside facilities. |
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An intermodal plan for connecting the proposed ferry services with other modes of public transit including buses and trains. |
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A feasibility analysis of the effectiveness of new technologies and alternative fuels in reducing air emissions and water pollution. |
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A comprehensive Financial Plan including projected capital and operating costs, operating revenues, and a proposal for providing the needed financial support to cover on going operating subsidies. |
SB 428 also requires the Water Transit Authority to prepare a programmatic Environmental impact Statement (EIS) which meets the Federal requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which meets the State requirements in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Once the Authority has completed the Implementation and operations Plan and certified that the EIS and EIR on the Plan meet the NEPA and CEQA requirements, then it can submit the Plan to the State legislature for final approval.
It is critically important that the Water Transit Authority receive the full $12 million proposed by the Governor in order to complete the Implementation and Operations Plan and the EIS and EIR on the Plan within the next 2 years. Consequently, this funding must be included in the Final State Budget for the 2000‑2001 Fiscal Year approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in July.
The Legislature budget hearings on the proposed Caltrans budget, which includes the $12 million for the Water Transit Authority, should occur in March or April of 2000. The hearing on the Assembly side should take place in Budget Subcommittee #5 with Assemblypersons Dean Florez (Chair), Patricia Bates, Lou Correa, Abel Maldonado, and Tom Torlakson The hearing on the Senate side should take place in Budget Subcommittee #2 with Byron Sher (Chair), Tom Hayden, and Cathie Wright. Please contact as many of these Legislators as possible to let them know that you support the proposed $12 million for the Day Area Water Transit Authority!
