A New Commute Option for Hercules/Rodeo
 The Proposed Ferry Route:
• Hercules/Rodeo to San Francisco
Trip Time(s):
• Hercules/Rodeo to San Francisco Ferry Building: 42 minutes
The Benefits of a Hercules/Rodeo Ferry Service:
A new Hercules waterfront development - a mixed-use commercial and residential area, complete with rail station- is currently under development adjacent to the proposed ferry terminal.
The Hercules waterfront will include 220 dwelling and live/work units, 490,000 sq. ft. of retail, office and civic space, parking and a variety of restaurants and cafes. It will be pedestrian and bike friendly.
A total of nearly 2,900 dwelling units have been or are in development along the Hercules waterfront.
Infill opportunities for commercial and small office establishments exist along Rodeo's Parker and San Pablo Avenues where businesses, homes, parks, trails and the marina interconnect.
The Riders:
WTA's ridership studies anticipate 1,022 daily passenger trips to-and-from Hercules/Rodeo by 2025.
The Terminal:
Like many waterfront communities where the town center is located right at the shoreline, a combined rail or and ferry terminal will provide excellent mass transit options in Hercules.
Convenient Connections:
Railroad tracks in Hercules separate the developing Town Center and anticipated parking garage from the proposed ferry terminal location.
A new Amtrak station along the shoreline of Hercules is scheduled to begin service in 2005, adding to the City's transit-oriented possibilities.
Hercules planners envision a pedestrian bridge crossing the tracks for easy access to a potential ferry terminal.
The WestCat bus service currently transports passengers as to and from Hercules and BART and could easily connect with the new ferry terminal.
The Timeline:
• Timeline dependent on availability of funds, environmental impacts and local support and commitment.
The Emergency Response:
A Hercules or Rodeo ferry terminal could provide emergency access to Contra Costa County if highway travel is disrupted.
New and increased ferry service was used in 1989 to transport passengers and supplies after the Loma Prieta Earthquake blocked access to and damaged the Bay Bridge.
In 23 years, ferries have been used six times in the Bay Area to replace damaged or disrupted transportation links.
Proposed Funding Sources:
Federal Ferryboat Discretionary Fund
Contra Costa County Measure J Sales Tax
Transit Impact Fees
Farebox Revenue
WETA Project background:
WETA (the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority) was established by SB976, and replaces the WTA (Water Transit Authority). The intention of SB 976 is to improve the ability of ferries to respond in an emergency.
Read More About WETA
Next Steps:
WETA is currently pursuing new federal, state and local funding sources for the Plan. Any new terminal location will require a site-specific Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Contact information:
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Pier 9, Suite 111, San Francisco CA, 94111
415.291.3377 www.watertransit.org
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