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COLUMN BOATBUILDING tural ? re protection guidelines. an entire day. Kowtowing to the “Most successful operators primarily

San Francisco Bay Ferry is also needs of the commuters goes pushing industry to reach EPA far beyond high speed internet, focus on serving the commuter ? rst,

Tier IV emissions standards in convenient power ports, and ensuring adequate level of service and their current construction so- serving Seattle-style coffee. licitation for two new 400 pas- Designing a ferry for the amenities to get the commuters to and senger ferries – which is quite rider certainly has value, but from their employment centers across the challenge, especially given operator’s can also exercise lib- that the technology is still un- erties or choose ignorance to a the water. Time savings has been found der development for the rel- certain extent without risk of evant horsepower range of this losing their captive ridership. to be the most important factor for most particular application. While the needs of frequent commuters, of course followed by fare ‘ferriers’ do hold some weight,

F “F ” they will be forced to take a

REQUENT ERRIERS price and amenities offered,”

In rare instances, a ferry can back seat when the route is be a magical conveyance to a under public subsidy, as is the – Mike Anderson, Director of Marine new land otherwise unobtain- usual case. Mike Anderson, who

Transit at KPFF Consulting Engineers.

able. The masses, however, are once led Washington State Fer- typically enslaved to ferry ridership as the only viable option ries, is now Director of Marine Transit at KPFF Consult- to transit to various workplaces and chambers of commerce. ing Engineers in Seattle. Anderson and his team specialize

There is no novelty for those who dwell on board as a no- in a full range of consulting services for the ferry and water torious ferry commuter. Commuter culture is something taxi industry, including guidance on getting in good with to behold and identifying such frequent voyagers is an easy the customers. “Most successful operators primarily focus on task. If you happen to counter their culture, they will let you serving the commuter ? rst, ensuring adequate level of ser- know in one way or another – most commonly with rolled vice and amenities to get the commuters to and from their eyes, or in extreme situations, a horn may be honked. Those employment centers across the water. Time savings has been who embrace mass transit commuting take ownership of found to be the most important factor for most commuters, their vessel, favorite seat, and have a ? rm routine. Any dis- of course followed by fare price and amenities offered,” states ruption to the normalcy of their commute is bound to ruin Anderson. Safety and the environment are not the commut-

King County Water Taxi

January 2015

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