A Strategy to Improve Public Transit with an Environmentally Friendly Ferry System Final Implementation & Operations Plan July 2003 San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority Dear Governor Davis and Members of the California Legislature: After two years of work, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Finally, as the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) Authority (WTA) is delivering an Implementation and Operations details, this system is environmentally responsible. Plan. It is a viable strategy to improve Bay Area public transit with an environmentally friendly ferry system. It is a well- From beginning to end, this plan is built on solid, conservative thought-out plan calling for a sensible transportation investment. technical data and financial assumptions. If the State of California It shows how the existing and new individual ferry routes can adopts this plan and it is funded, we can begin making expanded form a well-integrated water-transit system that provides good water transit a reality. connections to other transit. The current economy makes it tough to find funds for new When you enacted Senate Bill 428 in October 1999, the WTA programs, even those as worthy as expanded Bay Area water was formed and empowered to create a plan for new and expanded transit. The Authority understands the economic challenges it water transit services and related ground transportation faces and is already working hard to overcome that hurdle. terminal access services. It was further mandated that the Today, the Authority’s future is unclear, pending your consideration. Authority must study ridership demand, cost-effectiveness But the prospects for expanded Bay Area water transit — and and expanded water transit’s environmental impact. From that the benefits it can bring to the region — are clear. mandate, we determined that the Authority’s mission is to build We are grateful to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and operate a cost-effective, convenient and environmentally the U.S. Coast Guard, local and county elected officials throughout responsible ferry system that will enhance commuter choices the Bay Area and concerned citizens, like the members of Bluewater and the Bay Area’s public-transit system. This plan accomplishes Network and other environmental organizations, who helped that mission. us create this plan. We also appreciate the countless hours our We are committed to building the cleanest water-transit system advisory groups spent with us during the past two years, in the world. In three years, we can have ferries in service that reviewing technical studies and system-planning strategies are ten times cleaner than today’s fleet. Meanwhile, our proposed to ensure that this plan is well-thought-out. research-and-development program will be developing true zero- We also thank the San Francisco Bay Conservation and emissions ferries so we can deploy them as quickly as possible. Development Commission (BCDC), the regulatory agencies, the People will leave their cars and ride this system. Our ridership existing ferry operators and the other transit agencies that study used state-of-the-art private sector market research that provided enormous help to our staff and technical consultants will guide us in building a large, loyal patron base of commuters and who are committed to doing whatever they can to help and recreation travelers. improve Bay Area transportation. This proposed system is cost-effective and compares favorably This Implementation and Operations Plan presents the first steps with other Bay Area transbay transit. This system is also safe. to improve Bay Area public transit with an environmentally Statistics show that people riding Bay Area ferries are riding the friendly ferry system. We look forward to working with you and region’s safest form of public transit. We will make it even safer. taking the next steps to make this plan a reality. Furthermore, expanded water transit adds enormous resources Sincerely, for emergency planners should an earthquake or other disaster strike the Bay Area. Charlene Haught Johnson President, San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority QUOTED… “The State of California made a “The WTA's plan for developing “We are working to transform the huge investment in studying how clean technologies for the next former Alameda Naval Base into ferries can give Bay Area fleet of ferries is visionary. The a flourishing new regional hub commuters and recreational standard has been set high for for housing, employment and visitors more transit options. improving air quality and recreation. Ferry service will be The opportunity to build a water preserving the health of the Bay. very important to the multi-modal transit system for the region’s Environmentally friendly ferries transit approach we are planning future is exciting. I’m pleased by reflect the values of North Bay to meet public transit needs. all the hard work, top expertise residents.” Alameda Point is a great example and public participation that has of the concept being promoted by — Cynthia Murray gone into the WTA’s plan.” the WTA to enhance ferry ridership Supervisor Marin County by putting residents, workers and — Don Perata visitors within close distance of California State Senator Oakland ferry terminals.” — Doug Yount Deputy City Manager Alameda “For California to meet its long-term air quality goals, it is critical to move beyond traditional technologies to zero- and near-zero emissions technologies. Clearly putting a transit system in operation that demonstrates state-of-the-art emission control technology and the development of zero-emissions ferries will help achieve our air quality goals and be a model for other regions to follow.” — California Air Resources Board “We now have over 7,000 people “Ferry transportation provides “Integrating various modes of working in the biotech industry in an environmentally friendly transportation builds momentum South San Francisco and we have commuting alternative to the toward a society no longer reliant greater employment to the tune of congested roadways in many of on automobiles. Using bicycles 30,000-40,000 new jobs in the city. our nation’s metropolitan areas. as a way to connect to ferries We look forward to adding ferries Ferries also play a critical role in supports a clean, healthy commute to the many transit options our city the evacuation of citizens during environment.” offers its businesses and residents.” emergencies, as demonstrated in — Leah Shahum New York City in September 2001. — Pedro Gonzalez Executive Director The Maritime Administration Mayor San Francisco Bicycle Coalition; South San Francisco actively supports the expansion Director of this water mode to promote Golden Gate Bridge Highway mobility and reduce congestion and Transportation District for our citizens.” — Margaret D. Blum U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 THE DEMAND . 06 1.01 Why must San Francisco Bay Area water-transit service be expanded? 06 2 THE ROUTES . 12 2.01 What is the route selection process? 12 2.02 What is the existing system? 18 2.03 What is the proposed new system? 20 2.04 What is the safety plan? 23 3 THE CONNECTIONS . 26 3.01 How does the San Francisco Bay Area water-transit 26 system fit into the overall transit system? 4 THE TERMINALS . 32 5 THE BOATS . 36 6 THE DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN . 42 6.01 What is the disaster response plan? 42 7 THE BAY . 46 7.01 What are the environmental impacts? 46 8 THE RIDERS . 50 8.01 Who will ride water transit? 50 9 THE FINANCES . 54 9.01 How much will it cost? 54 9.02 How will it be funded? 57 9.03 Is it a good investment? 57 10 THE AUTHORITY . 58 10.01 How will the WTA operate the San Francisco Bay Area water-transit system? 58 10.02 How will the WTA be structured? 58 11 THE FUTURE . 62 11.01 What are the next steps? 62 THE DATA (APPENDIX) . 64 This plan shows how expanded Bay Area water transit that is affordable, reliable, convenient, flexible and clean will get drivers out of their cars and onto environmentally responsible state-of-the-art passenger ferries. THE DEMAND drivers out of their cars and onto What is the existing system? environmentally responsible state-of-the- Why must San Francisco Bay Area art passenger ferries. • Oakland-Alameda-San Francisco EXECUTIVE SUMMARY water-transit service be expanded? • Harbor Bay-San Francisco •Vallejo-San Francisco Growth projections show 1.2 million new THE ROUTES • Sausalito-San Francisco Bay Area jobs in the next 25 years and New water-transit service will operate • Larkspur-San Francisco a 1.4 million population increase. only where environmental impact is •Tiburon-San Francisco (privately run) controlled and limited, and where localities During the next 25 years, there will are committed both financially and be a 30 percent increase in region-wide What is the proposed new system? politically to expanding and supporting travel and a 40 percent increase in ferry service. • Expansion of existing routes transbay travel. The proposed new routes are good New Routes Bay Area residents rank traffic among transportation investments comparable • Berkeley-San Francisco-Mission Bay their top concerns — seven out of ten to other transit modes. • Richmond-San Francisco say they are willing to pay higher bridge •Treasure Island-San Francisco tolls if the money is used for congestion- Federal accident data shows that Bay • Antioch/Pittsburgh-Martinez-San Francisco relief projects. Area water transit is the region’s safest public transit. • Hercules/Rodeo-San Francisco Water transit is an environmentally • South San Francisco-San Francisco responsible and economically affordable Expanded recreational service is also •Redwood City-San Francisco public-policy choice. Water transit’s being planned, to provide transit access •Port Sonoma-San Francisco (further study) operating costs per seat and subsidy per to many of the Bay Area’s treasured passenger are comparable to Bay Area resources, particularly on weekends when Other Routes for Future Study rail and bus services.