Bill Overview
Title: Ferry Service Expansion Act
Description: This bill revises and increases funding for grant programs related to ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, including by making certain passenger ferries eligible and qualified vessels for capital construction funds.
Sponsors: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Target Audience
Population: People who utilize ferry services
Estimated Size: 12000000
- Ferry services are primarily used in regions with significant bodies of water like large lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
- Ferry services are used by daily commuters, tourists, and for freight transport, all of whom will benefit from improved services.
- Areas with existing ferry networks such as New York, San Francisco, and Seattle in the US, as well as international locations like Sydney, Stockholm, and Hong Kong, will potentially benefit from expansion and improvements.
Reasoning
- The Ferry Service Expansion Act is likely to have a significant impact primarily on people living in coastal metropolitan areas or along large rivers where ferry services are already established or planned for expansion.
- The policy's budget allows for substantial improvement and expansion of ferry services in targeted areas, thereby potentially improving daily commuting experiences for individuals who rely on such services.
- Individuals in regions without ferry services will likely see no change from this policy, as its scope is limited to areas with current or planned ferry networks.
- The policy could promote environmental benefits and alleviate road traffic congestion, hence positively affecting the overall wellbeing of ferry users.
- Tourism-based locations might experience economic benefits from improved ferry services, which can lead to better job opportunities and income, positively impacting the self-reported wellbeing of those employed in the tourism sector.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the Ferry Service Expansion Act could make my daily commute faster and more reliable during peak hours.
- Better ferry services will definitely align with my environmental values, providing a more sustainable mode of transportation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Accountant (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act should help reduce the long waiting times and overcrowding on the ferries.
- Frequent service will make it easier to plan my travel without worrying about missing a ferry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tourism Guide (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved ferry services can attract more tourists, improving business and job stability.
- Quick and reliable ferry rides are crucial for maintaining tourist schedules.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retiree (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see any personal impact from this policy as I rarely use ferries.
- Improvements are always good for those who need them, but I'll likely remain unaffected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Marketing Manager (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I look forward to more frequent ferry services which can shorten my travel time for work trips.
- The expansion should ensure safer and cleaner ferry terminals, improving my travel experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might see some benefits during weekends or holidays when using ferries for leisure.
- Not a significant impact on my daily life but nice for occasional use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Public Relations Specialist (Savannah, GA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Unless new services are introduced in Savannah, I don't expect any changes.
- This sounds like a positive move for bigger cities; not so much for us unless expansion areas grow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
School Teacher (Charleston, SC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better ferry services could enhance local recreational activities and community connectivity.
- I am particularly supportive of any infrastructure that improves access to cultural and social events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freight Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't use ferries myself, but an expansion might facilitate freight logistics in some ways.
- Will probably stay unaffected unless there are significant industry changes related to cargo ferry logistics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Government Official (Juneau, AK)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is absolutely necessary for regions like ours where ferries are essentially lifelines.
- Improved services are critical to maintaining and possibly boosting local economies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $85000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $95000000)
Year 3: $85000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $95000000)
Year 5: $90000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The uniqueness of ferry integration into local transit systems varies greatly across regions, impacting cost and benefit localities differently.
- The timeline for vessel construction and terminal improvements can be subject to delays due to regulatory approvals and environmental assessments.