Richmond Weekend Service to Resume: WETA has recommended that the pilot ferry program providing weekend service between the Port of San Francisco and Richmond, which launched last August, should continue. The pilot program ran for 12 weeks from August 2019 to October 2019, and according to a survey of about 200 riders, many enjoyed the service for the quality of the ride and the bonus of avoiding traffic. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt also voiced support for the service to continue. Approval will hinge on the cooperation of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee set to meet January 24.
Union Agreement Talks Underway: Private ferry charter company Tideline Marine Group has withdrawn an extension request to WETA to keep running services on a pilot basis. Since February 2019, Tideline has operated a pilot shuttle service for employees of a private firm, Exelixis, between Harbor Bay Terminal and South San Francisco. This pilot service was renewed after the first six months in August 2019 for a subsequent six months, and the company initially requested another renewal for January 2020. The company withdrew its request while it works out a more final agreement with the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific.
WETA Rider Milestone Reached: Last month WETA marked a major milestone in ferry ridership. Riders of the morning ferries on January 9 received free coffee and doughnuts to celebrate WETA surpassing three million passengers in 2019. There was an overall increase in ridership of 10 percent in 2019, with ridership also increasing in various specific regions. There was a 4.8 percent increase in Harbor Bay, a 4 percent increase in Alameda/Oakland, and a 2 percent increase in Vallejo. Nina Rannells, WETA’s executive director, said: “We have a good news story—not every other transit operator, in the Bay Area or in the country, has just year after year of positive growth.”
Mission Bay Ferry Terminal Updates Continue: The Port of San Francisco team provided an update on the construction status and timeline last month of the long-awaited Mission Bay Ferry Terminal plan. Financing for the project is still a bit uncertain, with $25 million of the $47 million required funding dependent on Regional Measure 3 funds, which are currently on hold due to pending litigation. The port team feels confident in its budget estimations, but Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes acknowledged a struggle to accurately assess the cost of sediment remediation and dredging that will arise with the project. But the team hopes to award a construction contract in February and begin construction in June when the work window opens up in the Bay.
