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OAKLAND - U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee and John Garamendi join CalEMA Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen, Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman, Speaker pro Tempore and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Berkeley Mayor and Metropolitan Transportation Commissioner Tom Bates, and Charlene Johnson, Chair of the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), on Monday to christen Taurus and welcome the public aboard the latest environmentally friendly vessel to join the Bay Area's growing regional ferryboat system.
When: 10 a.m., Monday, May 17
Where: Oakland Ferry Terminal, foot of Clay Street, Jack London Square
Ride Schedule: Departures hourly, 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
"Expanding our regional ferry system is a key component in the Bay Area's strategy to cut freeway congestion and provide sustainable transportation options in the San Francisco Bay Area," Congresswoman Lee said.
Congressman Garamendi added, "Moreover, the investment we are making to build a robust regional ferry system today is essential to ensuring we are equipped to respond to natural disaster and other emergencies tomorrow."
Taurus is WETA's fourth new passenger vessel. These vessels represent the initial investments in a regional ferry system with plans to add up to seven new routes that are expected to triple ridership.
"I am delighted to be here today for this important step forward in achieving Governor Schwarzenegger's goal to ensure the safety of Californians. WETA's work is important to prepare the Bay Area to respond and recover from man-made or natural disaster," CalEMA Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen added. CalEMA is responsible for leading the state's emergency response to natural and man-made disasters.
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San Francisco (October 14, 2009) -- Construction on the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal begins at Oyster Point Marina with an official groundbreaking ceremony. At 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2009 civic leaders will kick-off the start of construction of the $26 million ferry terminal. Ferry service is scheduled to launch in 2011. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, along with South San Francisco Mayor Karyl Matsumoto and WETA Board Chair Charlene Haught Johnson will turn over the first spade of dirt commencing the start of construction. The project will provide 170 construction-related jobs and over 20 new full-time maritime operations and supervisory jobs.
The South San Francisco ferry service is a part of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Transition Plan, adopted in 2009, which sets forth a five-year plan for consolidating and expanding ferry service in the Bay Area. The new ferry service between Oyster Point and the East Bay will provide an alternative transit option for people commuting to jobs in South San Francisco.
"The WETA is elated to deliver on our plan to expand ferry service. With a daytime population of over 100,000, South San Francisco is a dynamic, growing destination well-suited to ferry service," commented WETA Board Chair Charlene Haught Johnson. "This is a testament to the community and regional civic leadership who were persistent and consistent advocates for brining ferry service to South San Francisco," added Ms. Haught Johnson.
"This project is moving forward today as the result of the combined efforts of a multitude of local, regional, state and federal governmental agencies and representatives, labor organizations and local businesses in the South San Francisco area," stressed Nina Rannells, the WETA's Executive Director. The project has enjoyed a long history of support, first from Congressman Tom Lantos and more recently from Congresswoman Speier who along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee helped secure the final $3 million in federal funds needed to build the new terminal. Other funding sources include Regional Measure 2 bridge tolls, San Mateo County Measure A sales tax and State Proposition 1B funds.
Others who played key roles include: South San Francisco Mayor Matsumoto, South San Francisco Council members, and staff, San Mateo County Transportation Authority board members and staff, the San Mateo County Harbor District, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, CalEMA, the California State Department of Boating and Waterways, the Federal Transit Administration, San Mateo County Transit Advocates as well as representatives from the San Mateo County Building Trades, MMP, IBU, and local employers.
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San Mateo (September 24, 2009) -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier (San Francisco/San Mateo County) announced today that the US Department of Transportation has made the decision to grant $3,000,000.00 toward the construction of the Oyster Point Ferry Terminal in South San Francisco.
Groundbreaking for the project will be on October 19 and service to Oakland's Jack London Square Terminal is slated to begin in 2010. "The new ferry service from Oyster Point will help alleviate Bay Area freeway congestion and provide both short-term construction jobs and full-time employment for ferry and terminal crews," Congresswoman Speier said. "In addition, it will be a vital emergency resource in the event that area bridges are damaged in an earthquake or other regional disaster."
Congresswoman Speier worked with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee to push for the grant, following up on previous efforts by Speier's predecessor, Tom Lantos, who secured nearly $10 million in federal funding for construction of vessels and the terminal. That funding was obtained with the expectation that the State of California would contribute funding as well, but California's budget shortfall has placed state money in limbo.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added, "With this much-needed funding, this initiative to develop new ferry service will immediately put people to work building the Oyster Point facility and also provide good-paying jobs for the long term. When the new service is up and running -- and we hope it will soon include a stop at the Ferry Building in San Francisco -- it will alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution in the Bay Area."
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San Francisco (June 4, 2009) -- The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and the City of Alameda today announced some exciting news for San Francisco-bound ferry riders. Starting Monday afternoon, June 8, Alameda Harbor Bay ferry riders will be treated to a daily ferry commute onboard Pisces, the Bay Area's newest ferry. Pisces' interior design responds to Bay Area commuters' desire for convenience and comfort. The ferry has several seating options to maximize passenger comfort, plus room for 34 bicycles, 20% more capacity than similar sized ferries on the Bay.
Pisces will initially be used on the afternoon Harbor Bay ferry service to San Francisco, sharing service with the Bay Breeze--the existing primary vessel for Harbor Bay. It will gradually be put into full Harbor Bay morning and afternoon ferry service once extensive overhaul of the Bay Breeze gets underway later this year.
Pisces is the second of two 25 knot, 149-passenger "state of the art" vessels recently built by WETA. The City of Alameda manages the Harbor Bay ferry service and contracts with Harbor Bay Maritime to operate the service. The City of Alameda chartered the WETA-owned ferry for use on the Harbor Bay Ferry service.
Like its sister vessel, Gemini, which set sail on the Tiburon-San Francisco commute in December 2008, Pisces is the nation's most environmentally friendly ferryboat. Its exhaust is 85% cleaner than EPA emissions standards for Tier II (2007) marine engines and is ten times cleaner than existing Bay Area ferries. Pisces also incorporates innovative measures to protect bay and marine life, including low-wake, low-wash hulls.
Both Gemini and Pisces were constructed with $17 million of funding from Bay Bridge tolls (Regional Measure 2) approved by Bay Area voters in 2004.
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San Francisco (May 13, 2009) - The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and the San Mateo County Transit Advocates and are hosting a public meeting on Thursday, May 14 to update San Mateo County residents about WETA's Priorities for Ferry Service and Waterborne Emergency Response Coordination in San Mateo County.
Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Redwood Shores Library
399 Marine Parkway, Redwood City, CA
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) is charged with consolidating City of Alameda and City of Vallejo ferry services and all planned public transportation ferries under WETA, including new ferry service in South San Francisco and Redwood City. WETA also has expanded responsibility for coordinating emergency response activities for public waterborne transit services. These responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with a Transition Plan* and an Emergency Water Transportation System Management Plan.* WETA is required to create and adopt both plans by July 1, 2009 and to take public input prior to their adoption. Public hearings were held last month in San Francisco, Alameda, and Vallejo to solicit public comments.
San Mateo County Transit Advocates is a coalition of elected officials, business, labor and environmental leaders, who have worked for over 6 years to build support and obtain funding for San Mateo County Ferry service. Their successful advocacy for funding in the reauthorization of San Mateo County Measure A sales tax was largely responsible for $30 million of sales tax funding being allocated for ferry service in South San Francisco and Redwood City. The Measure A Sales Tax is administered by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
The Transition Plan will guide the consolidation of the Vallejo, Alameda/Oakland and Harbor Bay ferries under WETA. The Golden Gate Ferry service will continue to be operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. The Transition Plan also includes the following financially constrained elements:
A five-year Operating Plan describing existing services and planned service expansions including South San Francisco and Berkeley ferry service; and
A five-year Capital Improvement Program identifying all assets required to maintain, sustain and expand the system as planned.
The Emergency Water Transportation System Management Plan sets a framework for coordination and response and recovery efforts in the event of an emergency by using passenger ferries. It provides a detailed definition of WETA's roles and responsibilities for incident planning, response and recovery, and restoration of normal ferry operations.
Comments on both Plans will be accepted until the close of business on Monday, May 18, 2009. Written comments should be sent to Plan Comments, WETA, Pier 9, Suite 111, The Embarcadero, and San Francisco, CA 94111. The public is also invited to provide comment via e-mail to contactus@watertransit.org.
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San Francisco (April 13, 2009) - Under new state legislation passed last year the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) was charged with consolidating City of Alameda and City of Vallejo ferry services and all planned pubic transportation ferries under WETA. WETA also has expanded responsibility for coordinating emergency response activities for public waterborne transit services. These responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with a Transition Plan and an Emergency Water Transportation System Management Plan. WETA is required to create and adopt both plans by July 1, 2009 and to take public input prior to their adoption.
In order to best accommodate ferry riders, WETA pubic hearings and special Board meetings will be held in the evening in Alameda and Vallejo and at the lunch hour in San Francisco to solicit public input on both plans.
WETA PUBLIC HEARINGS & SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS
Wednesday, April 15: 12:00pm
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
50 California Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco
Wednesday, April 15: 6:30pm
Vallejo City Hall
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo
Thursday, April 16: 7:30pm
Alameda City Hall
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda
Drafts of both plans can be downloaded at www.watertransit.org.
The Transition Plan will guide the consolidation of the Vallejo, Alameda/Oakland and Harbor Bay ferries under WETA. The Golden Gate Ferry service will continue to be operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. The Transition Plan also includes the following financially constrained elements:
A five-year Operating Plan describing existing services and planned service expansions including South San Francisco and Berkeley ferry service; and
A five-year Capital Improvement Program identifying all assets required to maintain, sustain and expand the system as planned.
The Emergency Water Transportation System Management Plan sets a framework for coordination and response and recovery efforts in the event of an emergency by using passenger ferries. It provides a detailed definition of WETA's roles and responsibilities for incident planning, response and recovery, and restoration of normal ferry operations.
Comments will be accepted at the public hearings and until the close of business on Monday, May 18, 2009. Written comments should be sent to Plan Comments, WETA, Pier 9, Suite 111, The Embarcadero, and San Francisco, CA 94111. The public is also invited to provide comment via e-mail to contactus@watertransit.org
The hearings will be accessible to persons with disabilities. If special translation, signing services or other special accommodations are needed, please contact Shirley Douglas at (415) 364-3191 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
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San Francisco (December 12, 2008) -- The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) christened the first of its fleet of ferries, Gemini, to enhance the region's emergency response capability and water transit network. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and WETA Board Chair Charlene Haught Johnson performed the christening ceremony.
Ms. Haught Johnson applauded the Bay Area for coming together to forge strong partnerships to enable WETA to build a fleet of ferries that are revolutionizing the ferry industry. "Gemini's innovative design and propulsion technology shows that the Bay Area is on the forefront of environmental innovation. We responded to the concern of local communities for cleaner air and bay protection," added Ms. Haught Johnson.
Gemini's exhaust is 85% cleaner than EPA emission standards for Tier II (2007) marine engines, and is ten times cleaner than existing Bay Area ferries. In 2004, state legislation approved WETA's strict air emissions standard and its Regional Ferry Plan following completion of required environmental documents.
Significant emissions reductions are achieved by incorporating selective catalytic reduction and a blend of biodiesel and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. Two solar panels installed on the bridge deck will gauge the feasibility of solar power in the Bay's foggy conditions. The catamaran's sleek hull design reduces fuel consumption and minimizes shoreline response to wake impacts. Other innovative measures include sonar for avoiding whale strikes and floating debris. Additionally, the U.S. Geological Service completed a three-year rafting bird study to enable WETA to operate the vessels with minimal impact on water birds for safety and security, the bridge was raised and eight-foot wide windows were installed to give the operator a 360-degree view.
WETA's 149-passenger vessel will be put into service on the Alameda/Oakland Ferry and Tiburon routes in January 2009 after modifications to the Alameda and Oakland docks. Gemini will also be available as a spare vessel in case of temporary disruption of transit service or damage to the Bay Area highways and bridges. Gemini and her-overfuture sister vessel, Pisces, were constructed with $16 million of funding from Bay Bridge tolls (Regional Measure 2) approved by Bay Area voters in 2004.
Gemini has room for 34 bicycles, 20% more capacity than similar size ferries on the Bay. A spigot and hose was installed for cyclists to wash off sea spray off their bikes. Gemini's interior design responds to Bay Area commuters' desire for convenience and comfort. Restrooms are ADA compliant. Passengers will have WiFi accessibility.
The design and construction of Gemini was managed by a woman engineer, Mary Frances Culnane ("Mare"), WETA's Manager of Marine Engineering. Mare previously supervised tanker construction projects for Chevron Shipping Company and sailed as Chief Engineer for Exxon. She is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY (1980).
Two Washington state boat builders - Ice Floe, Inc. dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and Kvichak Marine Industries (KMI) built Gemini. Pacific Power (Washington) provided the propulsion system. Bay Ship and Yacht Company (Alameda) performed a haul out for hull cleaning and final survey. WETA entered into an agreement with the City of Alameda to place Gemini into the Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service. This service is operated by the Blue and Gold Fleet under a contract with the City of Alameda.
WETA is expecting delivery of its next ferry, Pisces, in March 2009. In late 2009, two other vessels are scheduled for delivery. WETA's four new vessels will launch the South San Francisco-Oakland service in late 2010 and/or the Berkeley/Albany to San Francisco route. They will also be used as spare vessels for emergency response. Environmental and design studies are underway for new ferry routes to Berkeley, Redwood City, Hercules, Richmond, Antioch and Martinez.
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San Francisco, CA (October 28) - Launching the beginning of the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact/Report Statement (DEIR/S) for the proposed Berkeley/Albany Ferry Terminal, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) today announced plans to hold a public hearing to solicit comments on the Draft EIR/S. The public and media are encouraged to attend a public hearing which will provide an overview of the project, potential terminal locations, construction and operation impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The public hearing will be held on:
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 7 - 9 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center
1901 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, California 94709
(Downtown Berkeley BART station)
"We encourage residents, business owners and anyone interested in providing input on the DEIR/S to attend the public hearing," said WETA Community Relations Manager Shirley Douglas. "We welcome comments on any issue in the DEIR/S at the public hearing or in writing during the public comment period, which runs from October 24 - December 31, 2008."
The public hearing follows the completion of the DEIR/S, which was prepared over the last year in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and includes an evaluation of environmental impacts of four potential ferry terminal sites. Two sites are in the Berkeley Marina-near the Double Tree dock and just south of the Berkeley pier. One site is near the Albany/Berkeley city boundary - at the foot of Gilman Street - and one site is in Albany - at the foot of Buchanan Street.
The DEIR/S considers public comments and other issues raised during the scoping period and two public scoping meetings held in March, 2007 in Berkeley and Albany. The Board of Directors of WETA is expected to consider comments received during the public comment period and adopt a locally preferred alternative for the project at its meeting on January 8, 2009.
In addition to the public hearing, copies of the DEIR/S can be downloaded from WETA's website at www.watertransit.org and can be found at the following local libraries:
Berkeley Central Library
2090 Kittredge at Shattuck
Berkeley, CA 94704
Albany Library
1247 Marin Ave
Albany, CA 94706
WETA is also placing an ad in local newspapers, reaching out to the media to generate broad awareness about the project and meetings, and providing updates via a newsletter on their website.
The Water Transit Authority (WTA) - WETA's predecessor agency - completed a Regional Ferry Plan in 2003 which identified a new Berkeley/Albany route as one of a limited number of new bay area ferry routes which could provide cost effective transit service. This project would play an important role in reducing traffic congestion on I-80 and provide additional transit alternatives to serve Berkeley, Emeryville and other communities located along the East Bay Shoreline. Water transit service to and from Berkeley is forecast to have one of the highest riderships of the new Bay Area ferry routes that are planned in the Bay Area. The majority will be drivers shifting from cars to water transit.
A ferry terminal in Berkeley/Albany would also play an important role in our region's emergency response/disaster response capabilities. Ferry service could provide emergency access to the East Bay if highway and bridge travel were disrupted, similar to what occurred after the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989.
Service would operate during the day and evenings, including Saturdays and Sundays, at headways that would reflect the travel demand for commute and non-commute periods. The project would involve constructing a new ferry docking facility, passenger ticketing and sheltered waiting area on the pier, car and bike parking, bus boarding, and provision for pedestrian, bicycle and traffic circulation at a location along the Berkeley/Albany waterfront. In San Francisco, existing San Francisco Ferry Terminal facilities would be utilized for this new service and would not require modification.
For further information regarding the proposed ferry project go to http://www.watertransit.org or contact Shirley Douglas at the WETA (douglas@watertransit.org; 415-364-3191). Written comments on the DEIR/S should be submitted to John Sindzinski, WETA Planning and Development Manager, at sindzinski@watertransit.org.
