Title
Recommendation to Endorse the Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy. (Action)
Body
Transportation Commission Special Meeting
12/7/2022
Item 6B
Background
Parking management and pricing is an effective tool for reducing congestion, supporting transit, and encouraging active forms of transportation such as walking and bicycling. Alameda operates parking lots at three ferry terminals, having taken over management from WETA in July 2021.
Multiple City of Alameda (City) adopted plans call for paid parking at ferry terminals to meet City goals related to mode shift and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and to help ensure available parking for ferry riders. These include the General Plan (2021), Transportation Choices Plan (2018), and the Alameda Point Transportation Management Plan (2014). In addition, the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2019) includes parking management as a key strategy to reduce emissions from the single occupancy vehicle trips. The enclosed strategy (Exhibit 1) seeks to implement these plans.
Discussion
The Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy (Exhibit 1) proposes to:
Reduce commute hour drive alone trips.
At weekday commuter-oriented ferry terminals (Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon), set a low, baseline $3/day parking fee to incentivize people to avoid driving alone to the ferry terminal, but without pushing them to avoid the ferry altogether, starting in spring 2023. Charge for parking by the hour or day (no monthly parking permit) to encourage people to take non-driving modes when convenient.
Maintain parking availability for ferry riders.
Modify parking prices incrementally based on demand. At limited intervals (on a quarterly basis at most), shift parking rates up by $1.00/day if the parking lot is 90% full after last morning ferry, and reduce the rate by $1.00/day if the parking lot is 60% occupied or lower. Do not begin paid parking at the Main Street ferry terminal until parking occupancies reach 85% two quarte...
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