Community Essay by Councilwoman Barbara Denny
As The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported, the commuter ferry service between San Diego’s Broadway Pier and North Island Naval Air Station has been discontinued by military command. I support this decision because the security of the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way for us, and those who support them, is crucial.
But commuter ferry service from Broadway Pier to Coronado’s Ferry Landing remains in operation. In addition to non-base-bound travelers, this service currently accommodates approximately 175 base-bound ferry commuters resulting in a reduction of up to 9,000 car trips per month. As reported by the Union-Tribune, some base-bound ferry commuters travel on their own through Coronado to North Island on bicycles and electric scooters.
However, in order to facilitate movement of the un-wheeled, base-bound commuters from Coronado Ferry Landing to North Island, Coronado city staff and Navy staff are working to determine the source of funding for a shuttle bus.
Now the discontinuation of the North Island ferry stop results in a savings of variable costs in the contract between the City of Coronado and the commuter ferry operator, San Diego Harbor Excursions.
An example of a variable cost is gasoline. At issue is the future use of these contract savings.
While some have suggested that these contract savings may fund overland transportation of base-bound commuter ferry riders by shuttle bus from Coronado Ferry Landing to North Island, it is possible that the legislation that controls the commuter ferry funding precludes such use of funds.
The ferry legislation sponsored by former Democratic state Senator Dede Alpert a decade ago secured funding specifically for the San Diego Bay commuter ferry service ad infinitum, which means forever. The stated purpose of these bills is to prevent “unnecessary bureaucratic meddling” with the commuter ferry in order to protect and keep it strong because the commuter ferry is a vital part of our regional transportation infrastructure.
The legality of using the commuter ferry contract savings for overland shuttle bus transportation is questionable. That is why Coronado city staff and Navy staff are reviewing the language and legislative intent of SBs 664 and 1433 to determine how best to provide overland transportation for Navy ferry riders.
While this overland transportation is a key part of maintaining and growing military ferry ridership, funds intended specifically for the commuter ferry service most likely cannot be diverted to another use, such as a shuttle bus. Instead, the commuter ferry contract savings must be put back into commuter ferry service by increasing the number of commuter runs across the bay.
In keeping with the purpose and intent of the commuter ferry legislation,
San Diego Harbor Excursions has plans for additional morning and evening commuter runs between the Coronado Ferry Landing and Broadway Pier which equal the contract savings. This facilitates the growth of overall commuter ferry ridership.
As a result, all efforts must be made to find alternative funding for a shuttle bus in order to ensure that un-wheeled, base-bound commuters continue to ride the ferry. Or, an alternative to the shuttle bus is necessary. The best alternative is the low-cost option of casual carpooling in which North Island-bound drivers stop at the Coronado Ferry Landing, pick up ferry riders, and drive to the base for work. If necessary, appropriate incentives can be offered to the drivers.
Casual carpooling has been in existence in the United States since 1975. Currently, the Pentagon, the District of Columbia and San Francisco have successful casual carpooling systems that operate entirely without government intervention. This phenomenon is called “slugging.” I encourage all large employers in the San Diego region to look to slugging as a way to reduce car trips.
San Diego County is a world-class region in which to live and work. Therefore, all of us including military commuters deserve a world-class transportation infrastructure. The fact is that the commuter ferry is a vital link in our regional transportation infrastructure. I am confident that all North Island-bound ferry commuters will be properly accommodated.
As we look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, the San Diego Bay commuter ferry service must be supported so that it can reach its full potential of reducing car trips over the bridge.
Denny is a Coronado City Councilwoman and an attorney experienced in land use, water law and defense litigation.
