At a board meeting last month, the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Board of Directors approved an agreement with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the City of Richmond to provide operating subsidies for the proposed Richmond ferry service.
By BC Staff
Published: April, 2015
At a board meeting last month, the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Board of Directors approved an agreement with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the City of Richmond to provide operating subsidies for the proposed Richmond ferry service.
“The vote today represents a significant milestone in bringing ferry service to Richmond,” said WETA Executive Director Nina Rannels. “This agreement, which was developed in partnership with the City of Richmond and CCTA, will allow us to move forward to secure capital funds, complete final design of the terminal and begin construction of the service vessels.”
The agreement will serve as the basis of future planning efforts among the involved agencies to support and plan for Richmond ferry service. Approval of the cooperative agreement with CCTA provides an operational subsidy for the Richmond Ferry service for a minimum service period of 10 years. It is estimated that a total of $37.1 million in Measure J funds will be needed to support the Richmond Ferry service during this period.
WETA will now begin the process of securing funding for the purchase of two catamaran ferry vessels and construction of a Richmond ferry terminal, at a cost of approximately $40-45 million. Service is now slated to begin in 2018, and WETA will build the Richmond ferry terminal at Ford Peninsula in Richmond. Richmond was selected for ferry service among other East Bay cities based on ridership projections and operating costs.
The initial planned level of service will offer three trips to San Francisco in the morning peak period (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.), along with two reverse commute trips back to Richmond. In the evening peak period (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.), there will be four trips from San Francisco to Richmond, with three reverse commute trips back to San Francisco.
“Richmond and CCTA have been working with WETA to implement sustainable ferry service since the Loma Prieta earthquake,” said Richmond Mayor and CCTA Board Member Tom Butt, who has made bringing ferry service to Richmond a priority issue. “The opening of the UC Global Campus in Richmond, the vibrant population growth in the West County and the continuing congestion on I-80 make clear that increased ferry service is an important part of our transit mix. Thanks to our partners, we now have funding, an approved terminal plan and an operating plan. As soon as WETA can procure two boats and build the terminal facilities, we are off and boating!”
