Providing New Transit Options for the
Biotech Capital South San Francisco
The Proposed Ferry Routes:
• East Bay to South San Francisco
Trip Time:
South San Francisco to East Bay: approx. 30 minutes
The Benefits of SSF Ferry Service:
• Will provide more productive, pleasant and direct transbay commute options to driving on the Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge and Hwy 101.
• Supports continued economic growth of the "Biotechnology Capital of the World", and other SSF companies like Hitachi, Toshiba and UPS.
• SSF bioscience companies increased 155% over five years, growing from 20 firms in 1995 to 51 in 2000 and employ more than 6.150 men and women.
• Addresses the jobs/housing divide between those living in the East Bay and working in San Mateo County.
• Genentech employs 5,000+ employees alone, and is the largest employer in SSF; its 100-acre campus supports 2.8 million sq ft of development.
• Future SSF construction needs are expected to grow to $436 million in the next two years-nearly double the $250 million in construction spent over the past five years.
The Riders:
• WTA's ridership studies anticipate nearly 1,000 daily passenger trips to-and-from SSF by 2025.
• The Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance's shuttle service recently reported more than 160,000 trips (or 630 riders per day) to and from Oyster Point and Utah Grand BART and Caltrain stations. For this same 12-month period, the Genentech/Gateway shuttle reported 198,000 rides for BART and an additional 40,000 for Caltrain.
The Terminal:
• Conceptual plan of the terminal have been completed. The EIR was certified in December 2006.
Convenient Connections:
• WTA will work with SamTrans and the Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance to provide feeder service to SSF.
• The proposed Oyster Point terminal would connect with the planned Bay Trail, allowing a direct biking and walking connection along the shoreline.
The Emergency Response:
• An Oyster Point ferry terminal could transport passengers and airport workers to SFO if bridges and roads are damaged.
• A ferry terminal in SSF could provide emergency access to the Peninsula 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.
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:
Certification of the Project's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is expected by October 2006.
Contact information:
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Pier 9, Suite 111, San Francisco CA, 94111
415.291.3377 www.watertransit.org |
