14 JUNE 2019 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: OPERATIONS Some essential plan elements as they relate specifically to ferry service and operations include: Set the Service Level—Service Schedule and Partnerships Scheduling decisions shape what the provided service looks like and who will use it. Getting to a service schedule requires careful consideration of the route the service will take through waterways, how long it will take, and when daily maintenance and fueling activities will occur. Ridership forecasting and community and stakeholder engagement inform the level of service provided. Will service only be offered during commute hours, or will customers use the service for discretionary travel like mid-day errands or evening events? A partnership plan can help identify opportunities for integration with the regional transportation network by co- ordinating schedules with connecting transit modes, which increases the usability of the service. Determine Infrastructure Needs—Vessels and Landing Sites Vessel size, speed, and design directly impact how customers experience the service and thus how the service is perceived. Decisions in design and procurement of vessels could have operating and financial impacts for decades over the vessel lifespan. A ridership forecast during a planning study, informed by route and service profiles, helps to get to the “right-size” vessel. If capacity is rarely reached there are unnecessary operating costs such as the fuel used by a larger vessel, but if the vessel is undersized, the ridership could quickly outgrow the vessel leading to costly decisions or lost opportunities.Additionally, vessel technology is ever-chang- ing and assessment during planning looks for opportunities in emerging technologies to provide environmentally-friend- ly, efficient, and cost effective service. Waterfront property suitable for passenger-only ferry service is scarce in most cities, but sites must be evaluated for their compatibility with viable service rather than just their availability. This may include the consideration of public/ private partnerships or mobility hubs that connect users to different transportation modes. Plan How to Pay for it—Costs and Revenue With clear operational assumptions, costs and revenues can be assessed and revisited for fare and service level sen- sitivity and for revenue maximization where applicable. If 5 1 0 . 3 3 7. 9 1 2 2 • w w w . b a y - s h i p . c o m • A l a m e d a , C A Bay Ship and Yacht is honored to be awarded the contract to build the first Hydrogen Passenger Vessel in the USA and the world. We are proud to be a leader in the industry while also doing our part to protect our environment. H2O FIRST IN ITS CLASS THE WATER-GO-ROUND IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITTED PARTNERS This project is supported by the “California Climate Investments” (CCI) program.