Ferry Privatization Study
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August 2012 Public Private Partnership Opportunities Study Prepared for: Regional Planning Commission RPC Project Number: LA-FB-OPS2 FTA Grant Number: LA 90X377 Jefferson-Orleans-St. Bernard Parishes, LA Crescent City Connection Ferry Public Private Partnership Opportunities Study RPC Project Number: LA-FB-OPS2 FTA Grant Number LA 90X337 Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5 I. Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................................... 5 II. Project Area ...................................................................................................................................... 5 III. Planning Assumptions ....................................................................................................................... 6 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................................................ 8 I. Equipment ......................................................................................................................................... 8 II. Facilities............................................................................................................................................. 9 III. Existing Operation Conditions ......................................................................................................... 13 IV. Political and regulatory environment ............................................................................................. 13 V. National and International Research on Privatization .................................................................... 15 Operating Costs and Revenue Analysis ....................................................................................................... 16 I. Baseline cost and revenue analysis ................................................................................................. 16 II. Break even analysis ......................................................................................................................... 18 Private Sector Operator .............................................................................................................................. 20 I. Operating Scenario Analysis ........................................................................................................... 20 II. Privatization Scenario Alternatives for Operations ........................................................................ 22 III. Privatization Scenario Alternatives for Terminals ........................................................................... 24 IV. Privatization Models ....................................................................................................................... 26 V. Proposed Operating Scenarios ........................................................................................................ 27 Key Findings and Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 30 1 Crescent City Connection Ferry Public Private Partnership Opportunities Study RPC Project Number: LA-FB-OPS2 FTA Grant Number LA 90X337 List of Figures Figure 1: Project Area - Landings .................................................................................................................. 5 Figure 2: Six Vessels and Mechanical Details ............................................................................................... 9 List of Tables Table 1: Population ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Table 2: Ferry Systems in the United States .............................................................................................. 15 Table 3: Operating Costs, Revenues, and Deficits ...................................................................................... 17 Table 4: Hourly versus One-way Trip Revenue Analysis ............................................................................ 17 Table 5: Passenger Revenue Analysis ........................................................................................................ 18 Table 6: System Wide Operating Costs ...................................................................................................... 19 Table 7: Proposed Retained Vessels .......................................................................................................... 26 Table 8: Proposed Retained Vessels Estimated Rehabilitation Costs ........................................................ 27 Table 9: Passenger Vessel Characteristics .................................................................................................. 27 2 Crescent City Connection Ferry Public Private Partnership Opportunities Study RPC Project Number: LA-FB-OPS2 FTA Grant Number LA 90X337 Executive Summary The purpose of this project was to analyze the potential for developing a public private partnership for the operation of the ferry system currently operated by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Crescent City Connection Division (CCCD). To accomplish the analysis various scenarios for privatization of the vessel and terminals operation were examined in order to determine the best fit for the system here. The study areas included financial review and revenue analysis; ferry operation issues, including staffing levels, benefits and types and quality of vessels; legal and legislative changes and areas of concern needing to be addressed; and, finally, a counseling review of the terminals that are part of the current system. The challenging financial data collection and analysis process was extensive and difficult to complete because of several institutional record keeping and budgeting changes. Nonetheless, the information presented will be extremely useful for any future operator to have as the privatization process moves forward. The costs associated with the existing ferry service were developed, analyzed and presented on an hourly basis. This approach, which is typical of most privately or publicly operated transit systems, allows specific line items to be reviewed and examined to determine where cost savings could take place. Those cost saving areas were found and alternative approaches recommended, being careful to arrive at a conservative operating cost estimate for any future operator. Along with the analysis of the financial elements, the vessels in the current fleet were studied to determine their appropriateness for the particular routes in operation. These determinations were based on CCCD staff recommendations and consultant review. Rehabilitation costs for select vessels were developed and presented, along with the estimated cost to build a new passenger only vessel best suited to the specific corridor. The cost estimates provide valuable data for the future operator and CCCD and as it progresses the privatization process. While operating scenarios were developed taking in to account staffing, vessel operations and maintenance costs, a critical piece of the analysis, the projected revenue and fare structure, is left to be determined. It is understood that the operator will be able to set its own fares, as outlined by LADOTD, but what the fares will generate and what other revenue sources will bring in are beyond the scope and ability of this project. It is now possible, however, to determine breakeven using the hourly costs that were developed. Potential alternative revenue sources include advertising on vessels and at facilities, charter services and revenue generated by retail and other activities at the terminals. The legislative analysis went through many iterations, as the project coincided with the Louisiana legislative session. Beginning with the draft document establishing the Metropolitan Ferry Authority, in the end LADOTD staff determined that the best approach was to issue a request for proposals to private operators and that the service was to be managed by LADOTD. There still are a number of issues that need to be addressed legislatively or legally, but that will occur later. 3 Crescent City Connection Ferry Public Private Partnership Opportunities Study RPC Project Number: LA-FB-OPS2 FTA Grant Number LA 90X337 The review of the terminals and other real estate owned by LADOTD was thorough in terms of the servitudes and other encumbrances placed upon the properties. During this process it was determined that at this point no for- profit concern can be located within the Canal terminal. It was further determined that the riverside of the terminal building at Jackson Avenue is no longer a part of the ferry system because of the time that terminal has been out of service. These and other real estate issues must be addressed by the State and the future operator. Finally, several public private partnership alternatives were presented that offered varying degrees of public oversight. The recommendation for the type of public private partnership going forward was, in most part, determined by LADOTD as time for the bridge toll expiration grew closer. The department’s