With new service to South San Francisco struggling to get its sea legs, WETA ferry service to the island city of Alameda remains the agency’s core success story.
Mayor Marie Gilmore of Alameda (right) spoke with ferry riders and Bay Crossings recently about her plans to increase and improve ferry service to Alameda.
BC Staff Report
Published: October, 2014
With new service to South San Francisco struggling to get its sea legs, WETA ferry service to the island city of Alameda remains the agency’s core success story. Yet so many Alamedans want to take the ferry that parking lots at both Gateway Alameda and Harbor Bay are consistently overflowing with cars, frustrating ferry riders and vexing city planners. Planning is also underway for another ferry landing at the Alameda Point development. Bay Crossings had a chance to meet Mayor Marie Gilmore with some midday ferryriders at Gateway Alameda to discuss it all.
1. Usually after a BART strike or other kind of emergency, ferry ridership jumps but then levels off not long after. Since the most recent BART strike, however, ferries serving Alameda seem to be full all the time. What do you attribute this to?
I think the BART strike introduced a whole set of new riders to ferries. They discovered how quick, pleasant and peaceful it is to ride a ferry. People know BART is almost maxed out; trains are crowded, it’s harder to park.
It’s getting harder to park at our ferry landings, too, but the difference is that our ferries can handle all the extra business we throw at them, so long as we provide the ferries, docks and parking. And we’re working on all three.
2. Parking is a real problem at both Gateway Alameda and Harbor Bay. What can be done?
Well, the simple answer is provide more parking and we have plans for doing just that. Stay tuned. But these plans will have to emphasize more people carpooling, riding bikes and taking public transportation. Ferry service is a fundamental part of Alameda’s quality of life and we’re going to fight to make it better; more ferries, better facilities. But that will also mean talking about financial incentives for people who do the right thing like ride a bike, carpool, or take AC Transit.
3. How do ferries figure in Alameda’s development plans for the Naval Air Base at Alameda Point?
It’s not overstating to say ferries are essential for Alameda and not just when it comes to planning for the Point. Planning for Alameda Point is all about transit-oriented development: ferries, buses, bikes and pedestrians.
4. WETA will soon open its maintenance facility in Alameda. What does this mean for the City?
Indeed, WETA will soon break ground on its maintenance facility at the Point, which will include an emergency operations center. I like to call it their ferry parking garage. It’s not just jobs for us; it underscores the vital role Alameda plays regionally when it comes to disaster planning and preparation. I’m also very pleased that the College of Alameda is preparing a Working Waterfront Job Training program, and to learn that the WETA facility looks to play a role in that program.
So this facility is important for practical reasons—it strengthens our connection to regional ferry service and our working waterfront. When I read about the costs to build other forms of public transit, which include buying land and laying track, I’m reminded what a good deal ferries are. Until someone can show me why it’s not feasible, I will be pushing for a world-class ferry system for the San Francisco Bay Area.
5. Some are suggesting moving Gateway Alameda to the Naval Air Base once development there gets going. What is the thinking behind such a move?
It’s early days for such planning but we clearly need and expect a ferry terminal at Alameda Point to support the development for the people that will be living and working there. I’m not sure that development at Alameda Point requires doing away with Gateway Alameda. I want more ferry service, so why not plan on keeping Gateway Alameda?
