February 6: Future Ferries Conference at Oracle
SF Mayor Newsom (r) visited the Bay Crossings along with (from left) WTA Board President Charlene Haught Johnson, Mrs. Lantos, Rep. Tom Lantos and, WTA Board member Marina Secchitano(far right)
Published: March, 2004
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA), along with several San Mateo County co-sponsors, including the Water Transit Advocates for San Mateo County, Port of Redwood City, San Mateo County Harbor District, Harbor Bay Ferry Service, and Oracle Corporation, hosted two events to promote ferry service to that county February 6/7.
Future Ferries, February 6, 10-11:30 a.m.: An overflow crowd of about 70 policy-makers, business and labor leaders, planners, and commuters enjoyed a briefing on the future of ferries in San Mateo County at Oracle’s Conference Center in Belmont.
A panel of experts, including Assembly member Gene Mullin, pollster Alex Evans from Evans-McDonough, and the WTA’s Board President Charlene Haught Johnson, talked about proposed ferry service and funding opportunities at the local, regional, and federal levels. Of special interest were Regional Measure 2 and local sales tax Measure A, San Mateo’s half cent sales tax for transit expected to be on the November ballot. If approved, San Mateo County will receive $126 million for ferries from RM2. Alex Evans explained how, according to his survey data, inclusion of ferry funding in Measure A was needed to ensure passage.
Experience San Mateo Ferry Service, February 7, 9 a.m-1p.m.: San Mateo residents got a taste of what ferry service from their county will look like (along with a taste of salt spray!) as two Harbor Bay boats departed San Mateo County simultaneously on a sunny Saturday morning at 9 a.m. One came from Redwood City and one from South San Francisco (SSF). Boats arrived at staggered times at the San Francisco Downtown Ferry Terminal, each carrying approximately 125 passengers who had RSVP’d for the ride.
U. S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo), who recently obtained $1 million in federal dollars for the SSF ferry was among riders coming from SSF. Inspired by the experience, Rep. Lantos pledged to obtain an additional $4 million. San Francisco Mayor and WTA Board member Gavin Newsom was on hand to greet passengers as they arrived in San Francisco. Reportedly, the only ones disappointed by the experience were those unable to get a reservation, since the waiting list was as long as the passenger list.
SF Mayor Newsom bonds with a young future ferry rider from Redwood City
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom waits for the Redwood City boat to dock at San Francisco’s Downtown Ferry Terminal
