Big Swell of Support for SF Waterfront Ferry Expansion

The wave of support for ferry expansion is growing in San Francisco, thanks to an effort spearheaded by the Bay Area Council. On Wednesday (Oct. 11) the Council and the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), which operates the regional SF Bay Ferry service, joined forces to host public officials, transportation leaders, and private stakeholders on a ferry tour of the San Francsico waterfront to demonstrate the potential of expanding ferry service to growing waterfront neighborhoods. Some of the region’s largest mixed used developments like Mission Bay and Treasure Island have popped up along the shoreline in recent years, with much more waterfront development in the pipeline. 

Just yesterday, Bay Area Council member Associate Capital broke ground (read the story in the SF Chronicle ) on 2,600 new housing units and 1.6 million square feet of commercial office space as part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the former Potrero Power Station, where they are planning to build a water transit dock to host future zero-emission ferry service. The Council and WETA have been working with many of these developers, waterfront employers, and others to provide a quick, clean, and comfortable travel option to these new markets quickly. 

The ferry tour attendees heard supportive remarks by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Executive Director Andrew Fremier. The tour showed key stakeholders how quickly and comfortably we can connect people across San Francisco and energized the public and private sectors to work together to make it happen. And the unbeatable views were a reminder of how lucky we are to call this region home. To engage in the Council’s Waterfront Mobility work, please contact Vice President Emily Loper.