There has been much hoopla recently over Google employees and how they get to and from work. San Francisco residents are angry that Google buses, among other company sponsored transportation, have been using bus stops intended for public transit. The Oyster Point Ferry has been shuttle employees to work in the bio/ pharma / tech industries in South City – and home again- at the tax payer cost off early $100 PER TRIP. Each Way.
Now Google has established a private Ferry to bring workers from Redwood City to the San Francisco offices amidst many crying FOUL. As much as we say we want less cars on the road, many do not want to see the perks offered to special employees of corporations such as Google.
Today the San Francisco Metropolitan Transit has issued a press release identifying the costs and conditions Google will have to observe for using the WETA docks with the new Ferry runs.
We still have unanswered questions concerning WETA’s purpose to ‘immediately after a disaster strikes, ferries will be critical to helping the Bay Area’ after the Ferry was canceled due to AMGEN’s localized explosion. In other news, Google has been informed they must move their ‘secretive barge’ from it’s current location due to lack of permits.
February 2, 2014 NEWS ADVISORY
GOOGLE TO CONDUCT TRIAL FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN WETA’S HARBOR BAY TERMINAL AND REDWOOD CITY
WHO: Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), San Francisco Bay Ferry, Google, Inc.
WHAT: WETA will allow Google to use WETA’s Harbor Bay terminal (Alameda) for a 5-day trial private ferry service between Harbor Bay and Redwood City.
WHERE: From the Harbor Bay ferry terminal to Redwood City terminal and return.
WHEN: Google’s trial service will operate for 5 weekdays beginning February 3, and ending on February 7, 2014.
WHY: WETA considers the Google ferry a validation of the near- and long-term importance of water transit to the region.
Details:
- The Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal is one of five WETA-owned and operated facilities around the Bay.
- Google will pay WETA $275 per landing.
- Google ferry riders are not permitted park in the Harbor Bay ferry lot or on adjacent neighborhood streets.
- Google will provide separate, off-site parking and a shuttle service for its employees. Harbor Bay ferry riders parking will not be affected.
- Normal SF Bay Ferry schedule will NOT be affected by Google ferry.
QUOTES:
- “We are confident that the Google ferry trial will not impact San Francisco Bay Ferry operations and that there will be no impact on parking availability for our riders at the Harbor Bay terminal,” said WETA spokesman Ernest Sanchez. “Our regular schedules will remain intact. Additionally, Google will provide a separate parking facility for its employees so that Harbor Bay parking for SF Bay Ferry riders will remain as is.“
- “WETA has a long-term strategic plan for expanding ferry service in San Francisco Bay,” said Nina Rannells, Executive Director of WETA. “The Google private ferry service can be a complement to the public service provided by WETA and other Bay Area ferry services. We look forward to working with Google during this trial period.”
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About San Francisco Bay Ferry
San Francisco Bay Ferry is a service of the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). SF Bay Ferry serves the San Francisco Ferry Building and Pier 41/Fisherman’s Wharf, South San Francisco, Alameda Main Street, Harbor Bay, Oakland Jack London Square and Vallejo, along with seasonal service to AT&T Park and Angel Island.