South San Francisco Ferry Terminal

South San Francisco Ferry Terminal
Location 911 Marina Blvd
South San Francisco, California 94080
Coordinates 37°39′46″N 122°22′38″W / 37.662694°N 122.377271°W / 37.662694; -122.377271Coordinates: 37°39′46″N 122°22′38″W / 37.662694°N 122.377271°W / 37.662694; -122.377271
Construction
Parking 35 spaces
Bicycle facilities 12 lockers; 12 spaces in racks
History
Opened 4 June 2012 (2012-06-04)

The South San Francisco Ferry Terminal is the only operating ferry terminal in San Mateo County, California. Boats are operated by San Francisco Bay Ferry and connect the city of South San Francisco to the Oakland Ferry Terminal in Jack London Square as well as Alameda, California. Construction began in 2009[1] and ferry service started on June 4, 2012. While ferry service between San Francisco and ports to the south existed as far south as San Jose/Alviso during the 1800s,[2] most passengers to Peninsula destinations took the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad after it was completed in 1864 as part of the transcontinental railway.

Design and construction

The new ferry terminal is the first ferry terminal built south of San Francisco in several generations. The Oyster Point Marina land is owned by the City of South San Francisco (SSF). The San Mateo County Harbor District operates the land under a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of SSF.

A 1992 report stated that ferry service between SSF and San Francisco (Ferry Building) or San Leandro would not be feasible, based on low projected ridership and inadequate farebox recovery ratios. 155 passengers were estimated to ride to San Francisco, and ridership between SSF and San Leandro was estimated at 50 to 150 passengers per day, because neither city had a strong history of transit ridership.[3]

The ferry terminal was built at a cost of US$26,000,000 (equivalent to $27,710,000 in 2017) in 2012, raised through an increase in San Mateo County sales taxes; an additional US$16,000,000 (equivalent to $17,060,000 in 2017) from increased bridge tolls paid for two new ferries.[4] The two ferries are the twin-hull catamaran Gemini and Pisces, dubbed the "nation's most environmentally-friendly ferries," each equipped with low-emissions diesel engines and featuring space for 149 passengers, 34 bicycles, on-board Wi-Fi, and solar panels.[5][6] The ferries measure 116 feet (35 m) long and can cruise at 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).[7]

Operation

Connections

The nearest freeway connection is the Oyster Point Boulevard exit from Highway 101. There is parking for 35 vehicles and 24 bicycles on-site.[8]

The ferry terminal is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) from the nearest public transit, at the South San Francisco Caltrain commuter rail station. A free shuttle bus, sponsored by local employers but open to the public, connects the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal, Oyster Point area office buildings, and the South San Francisco Caltrain station during weekday commute hours.[9]

Ridership

Average Daily Boardings[10]
MonthJanJuly
2012N/A141
2013118336
2014307365
2015445463
2016483496
2017445576

The farebox recovery ratio was 17% at the end of 2013, and the service was in jeopardy of not meeting the required 40% recovery ratio by the end of the 2014–15 fiscal year on June 30, 2015.[11] As of 2017, the farebox recovery ratio had increased to 38%.[12]

Routes

Offer service to Alameda, Oakland on the weekdays starting in 2012.[13]

One round trip per day to San Francisco Ferry Building (next to south side of Ferry Building - Gate E) and Pier 41 (Behind ticketing building window/Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream) on Wednesday and Fridays effective April 29, 2013.[14] Return times on Friday are different than Wednesday. Approximately 30 minutes from SSF to SF Ferry Building.

Pier 39 service was discontinued in 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) begins South San Francisco Ferry Terminal Construction". Metropolitan Transportation Commission. October 14, 2009. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  2. ↑ Nolte, Carl (2013-04-13). "Jenny Lind ferry disaster commemoration". San Francisco Chronicle. Sfchronicle.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  3. ↑ Pacific Transit Management Corporation (September 1992). Regional Ferry Plan, San Francisco Bay Area (Report). Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  4. ↑ Matier, Phil; Ross, Andrew (17 March 2013). "South San Francisco ferry loaded with subsidies". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Douglas, Shirley (December 2008). "Gemini, WETA's First New Ferry, Reports for Duty". Bay Crossings. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Bay Area Christens Gemini, the Nation's Most Environmentally Friendly Ferry" (Press release). Metropolitan Transportation Commission. 12 December 2008.
  7. ↑ Nolte, Carl (26 November 2008). "Bay Area ferry fleet welcomes new green boat". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "From Oakland Jack London Square to South San Francisco". San Francisco Bay Ferry. March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "So. San Francisco-Oyster Point Ferry". Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance. 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "South San Francisco Ferry Service Status Report" (PDF). Water Emergency Transportation Authority. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Swartz, Angela (6 August 2014). "Ferry frustration mounts: Officials want South city passenger numbers to grow, higher fares could result otherwise". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority Strategic Plan Regional Measure 3" (PDF). Water Emergency Transportation Authority. February 2017. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  13. ↑ "Oyster Point Ferry Service Starting June 4". SFO Connect. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  14. ↑ Gackle, Paul (April 4, 2013). "South San Francisco ferry boosting service in hopes of attracting more riders". San Francisco Examiner. Sfexaminer.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
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