Politics & Government
Martinez Ferry Plan An Alternative To BART?
The idea of a ferry from Martinez to San Francisco could gain support if BART workers strike again.
An idea for a commuter ferry route from Martinez to San Francisco could be gaining support.
"If BART goes on strike again, it's going to make that ... ferry terminal look all the sweeter," Martinez City Manager Philip Vince said at the July 24 City Council meeting.
The Water Emergency Transit Authority in January approved $25 million in capital funding for Martinez, Antioch and Hercules as part of its 10-year plan to expand and maintain the Bay Area Ferry's system.
The hope is that the proposed ferry connections would take more cars off Highway 4 and greatly reduce commute traffic. Martinez is an attractive site for a terminal because of its waterfront -- naturally -- and the potential to link ferry traffic with Amtrak service.
WETA's website predicts 1,133 passengers would ride the ferry daily between Martinez and San Francisco by 2025. The majority will be drivers shifting from cars to water transit. The ferry would also see 800 passengers daily between San Francisco and Antioch/Pittsburg.
"Judging by the numbers ... it's looking pretty good," Vince said.
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