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| Photo by Alan S Albin |
Harbor Ferry offers improved accessibility
By Karina Paris
It has been a successful year, thus far, for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and their enhanced Harbor Ferry service. The new 90-foot, double-decker M/V Independence has had the privilege of successfully providing Coastal Bend residents and visitors alike, with improved waterborne transportation service between the Peoples Street T-Head and Corpus Christi Beach. The 2011 service began March 11th and ran through the end of the Texas Spring Break week, March 20th. Ridership numbers have far surpassed the RTA’s goals this early in the season by reaching over 9,200 trips; nearing the ridership for the entire 2008 season.
The improved Harbor Ferry service is being operated by a world class company, HMS Global Maritime, which operates ferry services in Okinawa, Japan, Trinidad, and New York City, among others. Before the Harbor Ferry ribbon cutting, Mayor Joe Adame said, “This waterfront sets us apart from the rest of the world, and this new vessel can connect our region.”
“A new vessel, new contractor and an expanded schedule, has proved to be the right combination to launch a successful Harbor Ferry season”, said RTA Board Chairman, Crystal Lyons. “We appreciate the many community stakeholders who worked with the Corpus Christi RTA staff to help plan the service this year.”
The Harbor Ferry was first initiated in 1993 and operated by Danny Duzich of Barney's Place. Duzich operated a retired Texas Dept of Transportation Ferry to provide the service. After 12 years of providing this service with a retired and converted vehicle ferry, in 2005, the RTA elected to upgrade service to improve accessibility and customer amenities. Since then, the RTA has continued its progression of improved waterborne transportation service into what we know as the Harbor Ferry today.
By Karina Paris
It has been a successful year, thus far, for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and their enhanced Harbor Ferry service. The new 90-foot, double-decker M/V Independence has had the privilege of successfully providing Coastal Bend residents and visitors alike, with improved waterborne transportation service between the Peoples Street T-Head and Corpus Christi Beach. The 2011 service began March 11th and ran through the end of the Texas Spring Break week, March 20th. Ridership numbers have far surpassed the RTA’s goals this early in the season by reaching over 9,200 trips; nearing the ridership for the entire 2008 season.
The improved Harbor Ferry service is being operated by a world class company, HMS Global Maritime, which operates ferry services in Okinawa, Japan, Trinidad, and New York City, among others. Before the Harbor Ferry ribbon cutting, Mayor Joe Adame said, “This waterfront sets us apart from the rest of the world, and this new vessel can connect our region.”
“A new vessel, new contractor and an expanded schedule, has proved to be the right combination to launch a successful Harbor Ferry season”, said RTA Board Chairman, Crystal Lyons. “We appreciate the many community stakeholders who worked with the Corpus Christi RTA staff to help plan the service this year.”
The Harbor Ferry was first initiated in 1993 and operated by Danny Duzich of Barney's Place. Duzich operated a retired Texas Dept of Transportation Ferry to provide the service. After 12 years of providing this service with a retired and converted vehicle ferry, in 2005, the RTA elected to upgrade service to improve accessibility and customer amenities. Since then, the RTA has continued its progression of improved waterborne transportation service into what we know as the Harbor Ferry today.
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| Photo by Alan S Albin |
The success has not come easy; “The RTA is very excited to see the impressive response to our re-introduction of Harbor Ferry Service this year” said Scott Neeley, RTA CEO. “Our Board and staff have worked hard to bring a professional operator, HMS Maritime under contract to provide the citizens with a product they can be proud of and obviously we are seeing the results of that very good decision.”
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| Photos by Alan S Albin |
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| Bicycles & Segways welcome. |
The Harbor Ferry will begin service six days a week starting Memorial Day, May 30, 2011; summer service will run every week, Wednesday – Monday, from 10am to 6pm, until Labor Day weekend. The cost for the Harbor Ferry is $3.00 roundtrip or $1.50 for a reduced fare pass. For more information on the Harbor Ferry, please visit www.ccrta.org or call 361-883-2287.
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