SF Gate reports drop in ridership on new Oyster Point Ferry

I support connecting Caltrain and SamTrans to the new ferry service in South San Francisco. The public subsidy is currently estimated at $266 for every round trip and ridership is dropping. 

Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross . October 7, 2012

After three months, ridership on the highly subsidized ferry service between South San Francisco and the East Bay is drawing only about a third of the weekday passengers predicted.

What's more, ridership on the new service appears to be dropping, falling by almost 500 trips last month.

The line's 140-seat ferry boats are averaging about 20 passengers a trip - about one-seventh of their capacity.

The Water Emergency Transportation Authority, which oversees the service, had estimated 100,000 annual riders - which works out to a public subsidy of $47 per ride, or $94 for every round trip.

Instead, the agency reported 2,960 one-way trips in July, 3,181 in August and 2,690 in September - which, unless things improve, puts it on a pace for an annual total of 35,324 rides. At that rate, the public subsidy would total $133 per trip, or $266 for every round trip.

"We don't think it's useful to talk about (ridership) targets," says Ernest Sanchez, who manages the service for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority. "It's going to take a couple of years, and we are doing things to build service."

2012 Half Moon Bay International Marathon

The 2nd annual Half Moon Bay International Marathon started and finished on the California Coastal Trail at Pillar Point Harbor. It was an amazing day for athletes, volunteers and spectators. The unique course is approximately 70% paved and 30% packed-dirt trail and offers amazing views from bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 26.2 mile course is breathtaking.

Julie Weiss ran for Paul Perkovic and a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.

CCFRP fishing trip to Año Nuevo reference sites

California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP fishing trip to the Año Nuevo reference sites aboard the F/V Huli Cat with Captain Tom Mattusch out of Half Moon Bay. The trip was part of the tag and release research program. We had some rougher waves but lots of fishes! The Black Rockfish (Sebastes melanops) greatly made up the majority of our catch. With the help of our 12 volunteer anglers, we caught 386 fishes from 13 different species. 

Harbor Commission authorizes $25 million debt

At the Aug. 15, 2012 Harbor District meeting Commissioners unanimously approved a $25 million spending plan for a new administrative building and parking lot. The Half Moon Bay Review reported the following:

The San Mateo County Harbor Commission on Wednesday gave itself clearance to spend money at Pillar Point Harbor, and then borrow that cash back at a later date.

Under the plan, the harbor commission could begin spending money from its cash reserves on preliminary architecture drawings and permits. Those expenses could then be reimbursed at a future date if the harbor commissioners decide to borrow money, possibly by issuing bonds.

District General Manager Peter Grenell said the action was a necessary step for the district to be repaid on its upfront costs. Going this route would expedite the Pillar Point Harbor improvements, he said.

“It’s a common mechanism that’s used; there’s nothing mysterious about it,” he said. “It’s a preparation for the possibility of a cash-flow reimbursement.”

That construction could mean the harbor district would borrow $25 million, according to a staff estimate. Grenell said that money could come from issuing bonds or by taking out a loan from a government infrastructure bank. He could not say when the district would be looking to borrow money.

The harbor district has enlisted the firm Orrick, Sutcliffe & Herrington to serve as bond counsel, according to the agency’s attorney Jean Savaree.

Some observers on the Midcoast criticized the Pillar Point renovations, saying the notion of borrowing more money was poorly timed. The harbor district is already paying off a $10 million debt to the Department of Boating and Waterways.

“It seems like they should be taking care of what they have instead of going more deeply into debt for these pie-in-the-sky projects,” said Midcoast Community Council member Lisa Ketcham. “Why do they need a new pier? Why do they need to put the public more in debt?”

At the Wednesday harbor commission meeting, candidate Sabrina Brennan asked that the harbor board delay making a decision about the reimbursement until they meet again on the Coastside.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

By Mark Noack | Thursday, August 16, 2012