Title
Discuss the WETA Ridership Survey Data and Overview of Next Steps
Body
Transportation Commission
September 26, 2018
Item 5B
Information
Discuss the WETA Ridership Survey Data and Overview of Next Steps
Background
In November 2017, the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) administered an onboard survey to riders asking a series of questions on travel patterns, rider demographics, rider attitudes and rating of various services. The survey was conducted as a self-administered questionnaire distributed and collected onboard each of WETA’s four ferry routes, similar to previous onboard surveys administered by WETA in 2011 and 2014. For each service, the trips selected for surveying were scheduled to achieve a representative cross section of riders during all time periods, including weekday peak, weekday off peak and weekends. In total, 1,944 surveys were completed and processed.
Discussion
Survey Results Summary
Below is a summary of major findings and initial conclusions from the 2017 onboard survey. Exhibit 1 shows a presentation with more details and includes a comparison to the previous 2011 and 2014 survey results.
Rider Profile
• Higher Income - Typically, ferry riders have higher median household incomes than the average household in the communities the ferry serves.
• Middle Aged Commuters - Most common ferry riders are work commuters aged 25 to 54 years.
• Regular Riders - The majority of the ferry passengers (69 percent) ride at least three days a week. Half of ferry passengers ride at least five days a week.
• Fewer Seniors/Youth/Disabled - Fewer seniors/youth/disabled ride the ferry than other modes of regional public transit.
• Racial/Ethnic Representation - Typically, ferry riders’ race/ethnicity is consistent with the race/ethnicity demographic of the communities the ferry serves. However, Caucasians are slightly overrepresented and Asian/Pacific Islanders are underrepresented on the Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo services and African Americans are underrepresented on the Alameda/Oakland service.
Frequency of Use
• Increased “Flex” Users - Higher percent of “flex” users who ride the ferry less than five days a week or use it one-way and ride a different mode for the other direction.
Years of Use
• New Riders and Loyal Riders - Proportionately more passengers are relatively new riders (less than three years) or long-time loyal riders (10+ years).
Reasons for Use
• Common Reasons - The most common reasons for ferry use are ride quality, relaxation, ability to multitask, faster service, and avoidance of traffic/parking. These reasons are consistent across all of the routes.
• Faster Service - Compared to prior surveys, more riders chose “Faster Service” as the reason for ferry use. This increase over time is likely because traffic and other transit modes are slower and more congested than in the past.
Fares
• Opportunity to Reduce Cash Fares - Increased use of smartphones by ferry riders creates an opportunity to reduce the few remaining cash fares.
Access Modes
• Decrease in Solo Drivers - Riders accessing their origin terminals by driving alone has decreased significantly system wide from prior surveys.
• Introduction of TNCs - The use of TNCs for first-mile and last-mile service is now an increasingly popular option for ferry riders.
• Significant Bike Access - Many riders are using bikes to access the ferry terminals, especially at Alameda, South San Francisco, the San Francisco Ferry Building, and Pier 41.
Alternative Modes
• The Ferry is a Choice - The ferry is rarely the only option; most riders choose it over riding BART, Transbay Buses, or driving alone.
Satisfaction
• High Rider Satisfaction - Overall passenger satisfaction remains high in relation to other major regional transit services.
• Desire For More Service - Passengers want more frequent off-peak service, especially during late morning, midday, and late evening/night periods.
Overview of Next Steps
The City of Alameda’s citywide Transportation Choices Plan includes several projects that pertain to the ferry services to/from Alameda as well as access to the ferry terminals and a proposed project for a new ferry terminal at Seaplane Lagoon in Alameda Point. The key ferry-related projects and ferry access projects are stated below along with their status, and are shown in more detail in the fact sheets provided in Exhibit 2.
Ferry Service Improvement Projects
Project #27: New Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal and Service
Description: The new terminal, at the foot of Atlantic Avenue in the heart of Alameda Point's redeveloped area, will provide ferry service to/from San Francisco. This new ferry terminal will supplement the existing ones in Alameda, and will create another transbay transit hub for Alamedans.
Status: Construction is expected to be completed by early 2020.
Project #16: Estuary Water Shuttle Crossing and WETA Ferries to Oakland
Description: This project includes two separate ones: 1) Water shuttle for bicyclists and pedestrians between the northern waterfront/Alameda Landing and Jack London Square, and will build on developer requirements. 2) Once the Seaplane Lagoon ferry service is in operation, the Main Street ferry could switch to an Alameda to Oakland service in the morning and Oakland to Alameda service in the evenings for Alamedans commuting to/from Oakland.
Status: Staff is working with Catellus on design of the public dock that will be built at Alameda Landing to ensure it can support the desired future water shuttle options. Staff will continue to work with WETA, including by engaging in WETA’s Small Boat Study, which is just underway and will address estuary crossings.
Project #23: Increase Frequency and Span of Service for Ferry Service
Description: The improvement will provide increased peak frequency and expanded span of service for ferry service, consistent with WETA's 15/30 Strategic Plan. This project also will require capital funding for new ferry vessels to serve Alameda.
Status: The improved frequency depends on the status of Regional Measure 3 monies, which were on the ballot and passed in June 2018, and are now being challenged with a lawsuit filed in state court by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association claiming that the toll increase is not a fee but a tax and if so, would need two-thirds majority vote to pass.
Ferry Terminal Access Improvement Projects
Project #1: Alameda Shuttle Exploration
Description: This project is envisioned to be an Alameda-wide transit shuttle bus service that would provide convenient connections for trips within the City, as well as for service to the BART stations in Oakland and the ferry terminals.
Status: City staff has hired a consultant to work with the key stakeholders to come up with a pilot project that we could then seek funding to implement.
Project #5: Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal Access and Parking Management
Description: This project includes bicycle, pedestrian, bus and parking improvements to the station. Improving multimodal access to the station and appropriately managing parking with parking charges will help increase ridership and minimize neighborhood impacts. Proceeds from parking charges could be used to fund improvements.
Status: AC Transit and City staff are working together to improve the reliability of Line 21. City staff is working with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) to request additional parking adjacent to the ferry terminal. City staff is working with a potential new development adjacent to the ferry terminal on shared parking for ferry riders.
Project #6: Main Street Ferry Terminal Access and Parking Management
Description: This project seeks to improve bicycle infrastructure, bus service, and parking demand management strategies to and at the ferry terminal.
Status: The City, WETA and AC Transit are working together on short- and long-term solutions for ferry access to the west end, which also includes the proposed Seaplane Lagoon ferry terminal, and covers parking and curb management, bus service and interim bikeway improvements on Main Street, which will be considered at the November 14 Transportation Commission meeting. Other access projects that are funded include the Cross Alameda Trail (Project #20K) and Central Avenue Safety Improvements (Project #30A).
Project #22: Crosstown Express Bus Service
Description: This service will provide a crosstown bus route with 20-minute peak frequency between the Main Street Ferry Terminal and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal. The service will be considered for branding and it could be a first phase of a branded bus service in Alameda as proposed in project #1 Alameda Shuttle Exploration.
Status: City staff has hired a consultant to work with the key stakeholders for the Alameda Shuttle Exploration (Project #1) to come up with a pilot project, which could include this route.
Project #28: Regional Transit Hub Connector Bus Service
Description: This service will provide a cross-island bus route with a schedule that is timed to coordinate with the ferry service between Main Street Ferry Terminal and Fruitvale BART, which could be a pilot project or a first phase of the Alameda Shuttle Exploration (Project #1) to be evaluated after two years.
Status: City staff has hired a consultant to work with the key stakeholders for the Alameda Shuttle Exploration (Project #1) to come up with a pilot project, which could include this route.
Budget Considerations/Fiscal Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. The survey effort was funded by WETA.
Municipal Code/Policy Document Cross Reference
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
Environmental Review
Caltrans certified a Final Environmental Impact Report for this project in 2010.
Recommendation
Discuss the WETA Ridership Survey Data and Overview of Next Steps.
Respectfully submitted by,
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Andrew Thomas, Planning and Building Director
Exhibits:
1. WETA Presentation
2. Transportation Choices Plan Project Fact Sheets