PASSENGER EXPERIENCE UPGRADES COMING TO THE FERRY
Exciting news for San Francisco Bay Ferry passengers: two major passenger experience upgrades are coming in 2022.

In March, the WETA Board of Directors approved two upgrades that will be coming online in the coming months. The first is the addition of real-time predictions for our service from Swiftly, a San Francisco-based mobility company. Real-time predictions will be available in transit apps, on the San Francisco Bay Ferry website and at digital signage at terminals. This will allow passengers to more easily know when their vessel will arrive and depart, enhancing reliability and ease of use for the ferry system.

The second upgrade is an integrated ticketing system provided by Anchor Operating System. Anchor, which has been deployed on transit operators nationwide including NYC Ferry, will streamline paper, mobile and special event ticket sales across the ferry system, providing better access to passengers. Frequent riders will still be encouraged to use Clipper for regular service, but the Anchor system will improve the options for families, groups, infrequent riders and those who use the ferry to get to Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants games.

The integrated system will include a dedicated app in which to purchase mobile and special event tickets as well as the ability for the first time ever to purchase ferry tickets on the San Francisco Bay Ferry website.

Both upgrades are expected to roll out in mid-2022. Stay tuned to Full Speed Ahead for updates.
WETA WINS GRANTS TO PRESERVE, EXPAND FERRY SERVICE

WETA has won two federal grants to help support and expand San Francisco Bay Ferry service.

WETA won $26 million in American Rescue Plan Additional Assistance Grant Program funding. This grant program recognizes the deep reliance WETA and some other transit operators had on fare revenue to finance operations before the pandemic. Through 2019, WETA had one of the highest farebox recovery rates among all transit agencies nationwide. When ridership plummeted at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, it had an especially acute impact on WETA’s fiscal sustainability. 

The $26 million award will help maintain the high levels of ferry service available while ridership rebounds and new sources of sustainable investments are identified.

WETA has also won a $3.4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to build an electric ferry to support future Treasure Island service. This battery electric vessel would support a new network of zero-emission ferry service connecting communities on the San Francisco waterfront, including Treasure Island, Downtown San Francisco and Mission Bay. Another electric ferry has been funded for the network, and the target for the boats to be in service is 2024.
LAST CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON FARE EXTENSION

March 10 is the deadline to submit feedback on WETA's proposal to freeze San Francisco Bay Ferry fares for up to a year.

WETA is proposing to extend the Pandemic Recovery Program for up to an additional year. The Program, which included fare decreases of up to 30% across the system, is set to expire on June 30, 2022. If the extension is adopted by the WETA Board, the fare program would be extended until June 30, 2023 unless amended earlier.

To ensure your feedback is received, please send comments to recovery@sanfranciscobayferry.com no later than March 10. Information for WETA’s public hearing will be posted to our website when available. The public hearing is another opportunity to provide real-time feedback.
WUNDERMAN REAPPOINTED WETA CHAIR

Governor Gavin Newsom reappointed Jim Wunderman as Chair of the WETA Board of Directors for a six-year term. Mr. Wunderman has been WETA Chair since 2020 and has served on the Board since 2015.

"Building a world-class ferry system for the Bay Area is vital to solving regional transportation issues and spurring economic growth," Mr. Wunderman said. "I’m so grateful to Governor Newsom for his confidence in reappointing me to this important position and for supporting the continued expansion of clean, reliable ferry service throughout the region. I cherish the opportunity to continue to work alongside my colleagues on the WETA Board, and with the WETA staff."

Mr. Wunderman has been the President and CEO of the Bay Area Council since 2004.
FERRY TALES: NANCY

Nancy periodically rides the Richmond ferry for fun. According to her, the ferry is a fast and fret-free excursion to the Ferry Building with gorgeous views, interesting commuters, pleasant employees, safe traveling, comfortable seating, no traffic and on-time connections. If she could describe San Francisco Bay Ferry in one word, it would be, pleasurable .