The San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority (WTA) is a new state agency tasked with the preparation of a comprehensive ferry operations and implementation plan for the San Francisco Bay Area. When funding becomes available, the agency will develop and operate a new ferry service.

CHS served as the system planning consultant, and developed three alternative conceptual plans to be analyzed for feasibility and environmental suitability. Other tasks included the preparation of a capital and operating cost model, and the assessment of comparative investment alternatives. CHS staff also served as resource consultants for preparation of an EIR for the ferry plan.

The Implementation and Operations Plan and Programmatic Environmental Impact Report were prepared and submitted to the Legislature and Governor. The environmental document was approved without challenge and the agency is proceeding with planning specific routes for initial implementation.