WETA WISHES TONY INTINTOLI A FOND FAREWELL
WETA recently bid a fond farewell to former Vallejo Mayor Anthony Intintoli, who is stepping away after having served on the Board of Directors for WETA and its predecessor agency for more than 20 years.

Mayor Intintoli, for whom the City of Vallejo named a ferry in the early 2000s, declined to seek reappointment to the WETA Board of Directors when his term expired in 2022. Outgoing Vallejo City Councilmember Pippin Dew has been appointed to the Board by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Mayor Intintoli was first appointed to the Board of Directors for the Water Transit Authority in 2000, and then appointed as a director for the successor agency the Water Emergency Transportation Authority in 2008. He was the last WTA representative still on the Board and the only director to serve on the WETA Board for the entirety of its existence.

At WETA’s December 8 Board meeting in Vallejo, Mayor Intintoli received a parade of commendations, including resolutions from Congressmembers Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, State Senator Bill Dodd, and Assemblymember Lori Wilson.
HELP US SELECT THE CREW OF THE YEAR

We want your help recognizing the very best crew members San Francisco Bay Ferry has to offer.

WETA, the agency that provides San Francisco Bay Ferry service, is seeking nominations for its first-ever San Francisco Bay Ferry Crew of the Year. A selection of ferry captains, deckhands, engineers, and other staff who make the ferry system great will be recognized at a future WETA Board meeting.

Passenger recommendations will play a major role in the selection process. Submit your nomination via this form. Drop boxes for written nominations will be available on the vessels soon, as well.

The 2022 Crew of the Year will be announced in February.
PASSENGER DATA SHOWS 99% SATISFACTION

99% of San Francisco Bay Ferry passengers are satisfied with the service, according to passenger survey data results released by WETA.

Passengers like you graciously took the time to participate in WETA’s onboard passenger survey in July and August 2022. Survey data is an important tool to help improve San Francisco Bay Ferry service, assess the impact of amenities and policies, and advocate for additional resources.

Among the findings from the 2022 survey:

  • 99% rider satisfaction, WETA’s highest figure ever and up from 88% in 2017
  • 42% of passengers surveyed are new ferry riders who did not use the service before 2020, indicating the positive impact of the Pandemic Recovery Program on growing ridership
  • A significant increase in riders citing affordability as a reason they choose the ferry over other travel modes, from 7% in 2017 to 18% in 2022
SAIL AWAY TO SPACE WITH THIS CONTEST

As 2023 fast approaches, we’re excited to announce our Space Explorers: THE INFINITE giveaway exclusively for Full Speed Ahead subscribers. Enter to win a chance to receive 2 entries to the first-ever immersive experience to take you on an awe-inspiring interactive journey to space. The experience is currently running at the Craneway Pavilion, located right next to the Richmond ferry terminal.

Fully immersed in virtual reality headsets, visitors can simultaneously explore the International Space Station (ISS), interact with each other in the form of avatars while being able to access EMMY award-winning cinematic VR content from Space Explorers: The ISS Experience based on the biggest media project ever produced in space.

To enter the drawing, email [email protected] with “The Infinite” by Friday, December 16. Winners will be emailed early next week.
DECK THE HULLS WITH NEW HOLIDAY MERCH

This holiday season, we'll be dashing through the waves with our new ferry holiday merch as we spread holiday cheer up and down the Bay! While the weather outside may be frightful, our ferry ugly holiday sweaters will keep you warm and are so delightful! Choose from our sweater designs, socks and more as we embrace this season on the water. Visit our merch store to find your style and celebrate your love for the holidays and ferry at the same time.
FERRY TALES: TERRANCE C.

What is your favorite ferry memory?
While I was commuting into work during my second pregnancy, I fell in love with the names of your boats, specifically Vela and Argo. So much in love that we named our son ARGO (if baby was a girl it would have been Vela). Needless to say, you have enhanced our lives in more ways than just a trusted and delightful form of transportation to work and play.

How would you describe the atmosphere on the ferry?
Depends on the line (commute or tourist line), but overall clean and calm.

Why is San Francisco Bay Ferry the best way to cross the bay?
Obviously the fact that you arrive to work on a boat! And bikes exit first. And the booze on the ride home from the nicest bartenders in the bay.