A much-anticipated preliminary hearing in the lawsuit over Regional Measure 3 has been scheduled for April 3 in San Francisco Superior Court.
Published: April, 2019
RM3 Hearing: A much-anticipated preliminary hearing in the lawsuit over Regional Measure 3 has been scheduled for April 3 in San Francisco Superior Court. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association lawsuit targets both the state legislature, which approved a bill enabling RM3, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Bay Area Toll Authority. The litigants claim that RM3 toll hikes are actually taxes, not fees—and that the measure failed to receive the two-thirds approval from legislators and voters required for new taxes under Proposition 13. The first of RM3’s staggered $1 toll hikes took effect January 1, but the money is being placed into escrow pending the outcome of litigation.
More Problems for MS San Francisco: Having returned to service in January following an accident last year that damaged a dock at the San Francisco Ferry Building, Golden Gate Ferry’s San Francisco is back in the repair shop with a broken crankshaft. Golden Gate confirmed that the vessel experienced an unintended collision with a submerged object. It was towed to Bay Ship & Yacht, where an initial assessment showed that the gearbox, cardan shaft and propeller require replacement. The vessel’s return-to-service date is unknown at this time.
Richmond Run: WETA ferry service between Richmond and San Francisco, which began January 10, continues to exceed expectations. For the two-week period ended March 1, ridership averaged 625 passengers per day. The most popular runs by far remain the 7:10 and 8:15 a.m. trips to San Francisco and the 4:20 and 5:20 p.m. return trips to Richmond.
Reminder for Bike and Scooter Storage: To ensure passenger cabins remain safe and aisles remain clear, WETA recently sent out a reminder that all bicycles (including folding bikes) and motorized scooters or boards must be stowed in the designated bike rack area on the aft deck. Passengers should ask a crewmember if they need help stowing equipment. Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters used by disabled passengers are exempt from the stowage policy. Gas-powered vehicles remain prohibited aboard San Francisco Bay Ferry.
Bogus Passes on Vallejo Route: WETA announced that crew members will be performing random checks of monthly passes on the Vallejo ferry service going forward. This is due to the recent discovery of several counterfeit passes being used in March. Please be prepared to remove your pass from your wallet or lanyard upon boarding if asked by a crew member.
