Federal Funding Includes First Fuel-Cell Ferry and Other Maritime Projects
Published: April, 2003
Federal Funding in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2003 includes items of significance to Bay Area ferry riders. The grants, secured under the leadership of Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, include:
* $2.5 million from the Federal Highway Administration’s appropriation to the San Francisco Water Transit Authority (WTA) for the construction of the world’s first fuel-cell operated ferry. With this grant, attention will now turn to creating public/private partnerships to complete the funding for the boat. In the meantime, the naval architectural and marine engineering firm, John J. McMullen Associates, is completing the design of the zero-emission ferry. If all goes well, construction of the fuel-cell operated boat may go out to bid early in 2004, with the possibility that a 49-passenger fuel-cell ferry may be in operation on San Francisco Bay between Treasure Island and San Francisco by the year 2005. Mary Culnane, WTA’s manager of marine engineering, emphasized that "This is an exciting opportunity for the Bay Area to lead the world in reducing the ferry industry’s reliance on foreign oil, and, at the same time, relieving the environment of toxic pollutants."
* $500,000 from the Federal Highway Administration’s appropriation to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District for a lay berthing facility at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal. The additional berth will permit ferries to lay over in San Francisco during the mid-day slack period without having to return to Larkspur Landing.
* $1 million to help with the restoration of the three-masted 1895 lumber schooner, C. A. Thayer, at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park of the National Park Service. This federally-owned ship, one of the last vessels of its type, was used to ship lumber for the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 Earthquake. Today, the C.A. Thayer is used extensively for an educational program for tens of thousands of local school children each year. It is expected to be in dry dock for up to three years for its restoration.
Golden Gate Cuts Bus Service
Financial problems are mounting for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District as patronage on ferries and buses, as well as the bridge itself, declines as a result of the economic slowdown and as expenses rise with the seismic retrofitting of the bridge and increased security matters.
The district plans to bring its $202 million, five-year projected shortfall into balance by $57 million in revenue generation (toll and fare increases) and $145 in expenses reductions, especially the reduction of transit services. The most under-utilized of the district’s 59 bus routes were identified for possible elimination, and after extensive public input, the Board authorized the elimination of 13 bus routes, effective last month. Further service reductions are anticipated for the Fall of this year. No indication has been given on what changes can be expected in ferry service. Nor has there been any recent discussion regarding the institution of parking fees at Larkspur Landing. But stay tuned!
