Final Fare Increase: The last ferry fare increase in WETA's five-year budget plan takes effect July 1. Fares will rise three percent across the board for all runs except Vallejo-San Francisco, where monthly passes increase six percent, or $22, to $388 from $366.
Published: May, 2019
Final Fare Increase: The last ferry fare increase in WETA’s five-year budget plan takes effect July 1. Fares will rise three percent across the board for all runs except Vallejo-San Francisco, where monthly passes increase six percent, or $22, to $388 from $366. Vallejo’s increase is larger because that run had been heavily discounted when it was acquired from the city by WETA, and the agency wants to bring it in line with its other routs. Passengers using Clipper cards receive a 25 percent discount.
Berkeley Ferry Future Unclear: WETA Director Nick Josefowitz said he met with City of Berkeley officials to discuss plans for a ferry boat landing at a rebuilt municipal fishing pier. Although Josefowitz described the meeting as “great” and “very, very helpful,” he said he remained much opposed to the project because the terminal is too far removed from business and residential development. Describing the long bike ride he took to get to the pier site from BART, Josefowitz said: “This is a place that is very far away from everything.” The Berkeley ferry dock is an integral part of WETA’s expansion plans, and it isn’t clear how many other directors of the agency share Josefowitz’s concerns. Berkeley officials recently signed a memorandum of understanding for a ferry terminal with WETA, and the agreement comes before the ferry agency’s directors for a vote in May.
New Tideline Service Begins: The private ferry service known as Tideline has begun operating at its new landing location in the Mission Bay neighborhood at Pier 52, next to the new Chase Arena. Starting April 1, Tideline added Pier 52 as a new stop to its daily Berkeley commute service, and the company will also operate charters from that location. Tideline also provides service to San Francisco Giants games.
Interim Ferry Landing for Chase Center: A new interim ferry landing and ferry service was announced last month for the Mission Bay neighborhood during special events at Chase Center this fall. While a permanent ferry landing is scheduled to open to serve Mission Bay, it won’t be complete until 2021. The interim landing is expected to be operational for special events including the 2019/2020 Golden State Warriors basketball season beginning October 1. The landing will be located at Pier 48½ and will consist of one temporary float, loaned by the WETA. The interim ferry landing will have the capacity for special event service from regional ferry providers including San Francisco Bay Ferry and Golden Gate Ferry and may serve the Oakland-Alameda, South San Francisco and Larkspur ferry routes. The interim landing is currently in the design process, and agency authorization and permitting is in process. Construction is expected to begin in August pending permitting. The estimated cost is up to $500,000.
