Alameda lost its triple crown for operating three ferry services when the bicycle ferry abruptly shut down after operating for only three weekends. The island city had contracted with Robert Cooper’s Jack London Water Taxi to provide weekend service for bicycles between Chevy’s restaurant (near the Posey Tube) and the Broadway Dock at the foot of Broadway St. in Jack London Square. Wanna buy a ferry?
By Guy Span
Published: April, 2004
Alameda lost its triple crown for operating three ferry services when the bicycle ferry abruptly shut down after operating for only three weekends. The island city has contracted with Robert Cooper’s Jack London Water Taxi to provide weekend service for bicycles between Chevy’s restaurant (near the Posey Tube) and the Broadway Dock at the foot of Broadway St. in Jack London Square.
The taxi used to land at the Broadway Dock in Jack London Square and had a landing agreement with the Port of Oakland. That agreement expired and the property came under the management of Ellis & Partners, who have big development plans for the square. Ellis spokesperson Alice Ward noted that they became very concerned after a water taxi sank in Baltimore Harbor. She went on to say there had been “a number of serious complaints about the operator” and when they realized the taxi did not have a current landing agreement, they cancelled the service.
Ellis & Partners are willing to have a water taxi and consider the idea as complementary to the development of the area. Alameda and the Port of Oakland all wish to see a restoration of the service.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that Mr. Cooper also was involved in an automobile accident and for the time being cannot work the taxi, even if he had landing rights. Bay Crossings spoke to Mr. Cooper , who noted that this vessel was purpose-built for the Alameda service and expanding to the bicycle ferry. He also said he just added two new engines. Since he can’t work and can’t land, the business is for sale. So if you wish to buy your own ferry, call the Jack London Square Water Taxi.
When asked about the Baltimore Harbor sinking, Mr. Cooper said that the Estuary is far more protected than the open harbor, that his vessel has larger pontoons and is wider and more stable, and that the ferry was rated for operation in 70 mph winds.
The water taxi can carry up to 15 bicycles and 25 passengers and requires a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton license and must also have a deck hand. Alameda funded this weekend bicycle ferry as an alternative access to and from the island’s west end, as cyclists otherwise would have to use the extremely narrow pedestrian walkway found in the tubes. Ordinary passengers pay $5 for the taxi, but on weekends, bike riders would only have to pay a $1 under the $60,000, 15-month trial service.
The Broadway Dock is a public access dock and available for non-commercial public access and commercial use by agreement. Interestingly enough, there are no standardized rules for public access docks. Each business or public entity that owns the dock sets their on rules. Just like the Broadway Dock, most public docks have no signs that spell out requirements (maximum time tied up, etc.). This lack of information makes such docks uninviting to the uninitiated.
