Bridgeport Port Authority Executive Director, Joseph A. Riccio Jr. February 16, 2005 American Association of Port Authorities Cruise Workshop Niche Markets
Created in 1993 City of Bridgeport transferred ownership of the Water Street Dock Transfer triggered Connecticut state law forming a Port Authority Purpose of transfer to reconstruct Water Street Dock and build a ferry terminal on the site
-Primary tenant is Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Steamboat Company ( Ferry Co. ) -Under lease agreement with Ferry Co. -Year round passenger and vehicular service provided between Bridgeport and the Village of Port Jefferson, Long Island (NY); a distance of 14 miles. -1 hour by boat & at least 2.5 hours by car (120 miles)
Surrounding Regions Bridgeport, CT is located in Fairfield County County population of 882,567 Long Island, New York Suffolk County has a population of 1,419,369 Nassau County has a population of 1,334,544 All three counties are among the highest in personal income & median household income in the United States
Beyond the Ferry Marine link between Interstate 95 (CT) and the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) Bridgeport Harbor is centrally located to Interstate 95, State highways 25 & 8, the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways. Train and bus terminals located within minutes from Bridgeport Harbor (by foot) Bridgeport Harbor is located within 60 miles of New York, 150 miles of Boston
A Look Back...BPA History Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Steamboat Company providing ferry service from Bridgeport Harbor to Long Island since 1883 One of the original founders was P.T. Barnum A resident of Bridgeport, P.T. Barnum was the first President of the Steamboat Company
A Need for Modernization 1994 Ridership: 593,000 2 aging vessels Minimal growth Conditions not passenger friendly Existing site not adequate No room for staging No amenities Need to separate passengers and vehicles BPA policy They are our passengers also.
BPA Under Construction
Big Changes at BPA Former Ferry Terminal New Ferry Terminal
More Changes at BPA Former Waiting Room New Waiting Room
The Bottom Line Ferry Terminal cost total $4.2 million 1.86 federal/ 1.35 state/640 City /350 BPA Water Street Dock initial repairs and reconfiguration in 2000/01 total $2,092 mm 1.65 federal/ 289 state/151 BPA New Access Road for boarding vehicles completed in 1997/8 at cost of 1.535mm (CDOT monies). Proposed Parking Garage on site estimated cost to be 6.45 mm Total of $7,827,000 invested in Water Street Dock facility to date, with additional $6.45 mm planned
Ferry Ridership -Overall crossing traffic has increased 51% from 1997-2004 -Passenger only traffic increased 48.36% from 1997-2004 -2004 passengers exceeded 900,000 -All vehicle traffic increased 56.43% from 1997-2004 -2004 passenger vehicle traffic exceeded 450,000 vehicles -2004 truck traffic exceeded 10,000 (truck traffic increased 19% from 2003; since 1997 truck traffic increased over 179%) 1 Passenger Activity 1994-2004 0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
Ferry Ridership (cont.) Ferry services like the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry provide a local transportation alternative Passengers typically include business commuters, travelers and those who simply want to enjoy a relaxing ride on the water Highest passenger only traffic remains from May through September. Typical summer traveler comes to Bridgeport for a ballgame, concert and restaurants to Port Jeff for boutique shops and restaurants 2004 Ridership: 1.39 million passengers and vehicles
BPA Today 1999 new investment of $14 million for the M/V P.T. Barnum Addition of this vessel increased the total fleet number to 3 vessels providing daily route service In 2003 replaced aging vessel with new M/V Grand Republic, costing approx. $15 million 14-16 Round Trips daily (6am-9pm) Year-round service Formula for success: Amenities, Staging, and Frequency of trips
Ferry Industry (U.S.) 677 Vessels 35 States 224 Ferry Operators 487 Non-stop routes 578 Terminal locations 113,000,000 Passengers (1999-2000) 150,000,000 Passengers (2004 Estimate)
Maritime Security Maritime Security Levels (MARSEC) Security improvements made in 1999 -Video surveillance, extra lighting -Level 1: 24 hour staffed security and video surveillance, City of Bridgeport marine patrol unit on hand 15 hours per day -Level 2: Vehicles are inspected by City of Bridgeport Police. 24 hour coverage by Marine patrol unit. Escort ferries to state line in Long Island Sound -Level 3: Facility and ferries are shut down
Maritime Security Continued On 9/11, ferry was the only open and operating transportation service between New York and Connecticut BPA awarded $2.9mm grant ($1.3mm to the Water Street dock) -Grant monies can be used to acquire/install security measures such as lighting in/around facility, perimeter detection devices, CCTV monitoring system, fencing, card reader/identification systems, security booths/gates, reduce sight impairments (vegetation), and provide staff training.
Maritime Security Continued U.S.C.G. has placed high risk assessment on high capacity ferries Greater than container ships Greater than cruise ships Each vessel with capacity greater than 150 passengers must have a Vessel Security Plan Must be coordinated with Landside Facility Security Plan
Bridgeport Harbor Underutilized but growing! Channel depth is 35 ft New business includes Derecktor Shipyards Construction of new vessels, repair and service of all types of vessels Shipyards includes 600 metric ton travel lift
Bridgeport Harbor Future Barge Feeder Service To operate between Bridgeport and the ports of New York and New Jersey RFP process underway; actual operation expected to commence by summer 2005 Proposed High Speed Ferry Service Project funded by FHW/Ferry Boat Discretionary funds Currently feasibility study underway Planned to operate between Bridgeport, Stamford and New York
Bridgeport Port Authority Executive Director, Joseph A. Riccio Jr. February 16, 2005 American Association of Port Authorities Cruise Workshop Niche Markets