Vallejo Baylink Advisory Committee

VBAC Meeting Minutes for June 3, 2003

• Bob Schussel, representing the 6:30am ferry riders
• Robert Boyce, representing the 6:30am ferry riders
• Dan Priven, representing the 8:00am ferry riders
• Wayne Shepard, representing the 8:00am ferry riders
• Patricia A. Floris, representing the 6:00am ferry riders (Ridership Chair)
• Kevin Donnelly, Baylink Administration
• Patrick Morgan, Baylink Operations
• Marty Robbins, Baylink General Manager (Acting Committee Chair)

• Pam Belchamber unable to attend due to illness, others per attendee list

• presented drawings for new seating arrangement
  • main difference is current 6 to 8 across seating will become 3 and 3 with an aisle
• presented prototype seats
• agreed that optimum seat pitch is 41-42”
• agreed to retain low tables where seats face each other in non-bench areas
• agreed to retain booths in present size and general configuration
• agreed to orientate certain seats for ease of access, and delete armrests
• seats without table or tray table shall be equipped with cup holder in armrest
• seats shall not face main passageways
• new seats were well received
• make new seats 1” wider than prototype if possible
• make interior armrests double wide where possible
• store life jackets in booths and other locations to the greatest possible degree
• utilize under seat boxes for remainder of life jackets
• ensure proper signage for life jacket locations
• utilize machine washable fabrics for seat covers
• carpet installed under seating areas
• non-slip vinyl flooring in wet areas and main passageways

• passenger capacity to remain 300
• seats will not be removed as the seating capacity inside would drop to 220 or less
• exhaust piping modifications will be undertaken in an effort to reduce noise; noise levels will be measured before and after
• expanded metal bulwarks will be replaced with solid panels to help improve wind screening at second deck exterior seating area
• new wind screens cannot be wrapped around stern
• seats covers are machine washed
• tray tables can be added at about $50 per seat, about 125 seats can be modified for a total cost of about $6250; will be accomplished as budget allows
• ceiling panels will be re-tightened as ongoing maintenance, the grid was re-used and not replaced during the vessel renovation, we will continue to chase squeaks; ultimate solution is a new ceiling system that will cost about $100,000
• other sound mitigation strategies will be prohibitively expensive with little overall improvement, VALLEJO is quieter than she was before renovation, however she will never be as quiet as the larger vessels due to her size in relation to the new engines
• HVAC problems have been addressed over the winter by separating the pilothouse controls from the 2nd deck controls, cooling should be improved this summer, we will monitor performance
• ventilation filters are routinely replaced every month, in the future they will be checked twice per month
• handicap accessibility meets ADA standards

• City ordinance covers this issue
• Deck hands will respond to passenger complaints
• Passengers who persist in violation of the ordinance will be dealt with by law enforcement

• City is reluctant to move 6:00am to 5:45am based on past resistance (data is 3 or 4 years old)
• New three boat schedule to start next year will dramatically improve scheduling and schedule performance
• Committee tasked with planning for the three boat schedule, based on departures every 45 minutes during commute hours with 16 weekday round trips – committee suggests conducting survey to determine optimum preferred times

• Can bus departures from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal be announced; City to check with Vallejo Transit
• Variable message signs are being procured for Vallejo dock and ferry building lobby, cost is about $10,000; installation pending budget
• Port of San Francisco will be petitioned for installation of similar signs there upon successful performance in Vallejo

• Can Vallejo gangway be modified to allow waiting under canopy; City to pursue installation of second gate to allow for this
• Boarding ramp at Ferry Building has hydraulic leak, must be raised every morning; City will initiate maintenance request to Port or SF
• Both boarding ramps to be utilized on all commute runs

• Can there be a late night bus departure from SF such as a 12:15am leaving the Ferry Building to accommodate swing shift workers; City will evaluate ridership numbers

• Menu prices are consistent Bay Area wide
• City reserves the right to approve the third party vendor
• City may demand upgrade of menu items based on inspection or passenger complaints
• There is a long term contract in place between Blue & Gold and the current third party vendor
• Contract can be terminated, but only in the event that the third party vendor fails to perform

• Dredging Project, disruption of ferry operations starting August 15th and lasting 4-6 weeks, more details at June meeting
• 2004 implementation of TransLink ticketing system
• Three boat schedule
• Construction of new ferry
• U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Regulations
• Ferry service to PacBell for Giants baseball
• Parking lot security
• Bus routes and times
• Advertising

• Martin J. Robbins
• Patricia A. Floris