FERRY RIDERSHIP SOARS TO NEW HIGHS

Ridership on San Francisco Bay Ferry is soaring, highlighting the importance of the Bay Area Council’s continuing work to dramatically expand the role of water transit in helping address the region’s horrific traffic mess. A record 288,000 passengers traveled on SF Bay Ferry in July, according to the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), which operates the service. Ridership increased on all four of SF Bay Ferry’s routes, and is up 78 percent overall since 2012.

The Council, whose CEO Jim Wunderman serves as vice chair of WETA, has been advocating for years for increasing funding to expand the number of boats and routes serving the region. Most recently, the Council has been working in Sacramento to maximize funding for ferries in legislation (SB 595) that would authorize a regional vote in 2018 on a bridge toll increase to pay for a wide range of projects to ease traffic and expand transit service. The additional funding is critical to realizing WETA’s plans to expand to 44 vessels, 16 terminals and 12 routes. To engage in the Council’s water transit work, please contact Policy Director Emily Loper.