TheBoat.

one paper down, four to go. story is by ME!

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*the mo betta updated version:

What is to become of TheBoat?


The decision to cut funds for Oahu’s public transportation ferry, TheBoat, is still being reviewed by the Honolulu City Council Budget Committee. Proponents say that the $5 million cost for this commuter ferry is too high, especially in comparison with the actual rider usage.

Not only is the cost of TheBoat high, but if there are roughly 150,000 people commuting by vehicle to each day and only 300 riders on TheBoat, it doesn’t significantly reduced the traffic flow, according to proponents.

A variety of variables contribute to the flex in the number of riders. School vacations holiday vacations times generally have fewer riders. There is even a correlation with gas the fluxation of riders. According to Mar, personal interviews done with passengers on the ferry showed that the economy has also contributed to the dropped numbers in riders as some of the riders who have lost their jobs no longer have a use for riding.

As far as where exactly TheBoat stands on the decision to close down, Mar says, “anything is possible at this point in time.” Nothing is guaranteed until the final decision is made and the funding has been put in by the mayor to continue until the contract expires at the end of June.

The Department of Transportation Services project manager Darrin Mar said the average riders monthly can range anywhere from between 5,000 to 7,800. If 6,000 commuters are riding the fairy monthly, it pans out to be about 300 people riding daily. If the 300 daily riders ride both to and from their destination and pays $2 each way, the bus is taking in only $1,200 a day.

TheBoat, which started in September of 2007, is still fairly new, but the trips between Aloha Tower and Kalaeloa may stop July 1. As most people commute into town during the day, the idea behind the boat was to cut down the amount of vehicles on the road.

Upon arriving at Kalaeloa Pier, finding TheBoat’s dock may be a bit tricky, but there are many options in arriving at TheBoat. Twenty-three free parking stalls are available for two or more person carpoolers, a “kiss-n-ride” (drop-off/pick-up by private vehicles), and TheBus stops literally less than 100 feet from TheBoat’s docking point. The trip from Kalaeloa Pier to Aloha Tower takes about an hour.

On a Monday morning, on the last ride to Aloha tower for the morning tour departed at 8 a.m., about 10 passengers waited for TheBoat’s doors to open; amongst them, a variety of people. One man brought along his bike, another man a brief case. “This is wonderful here,” a tourist says excited with laughter.

The cost for a one-way ride is $2. But commuters can purchase a $40 monthly pass or a $440 yearly pass. The inside cabin has large, comfortable chairs, booths with tables, and an upper open deck that holds many bench seats. Smalls snacks, drinks and free Wi-Fi are also available for the trip. After a few horn blows and a safety TheBoat departed the Harbor. The top deck seemed to have the best seats, as most rushed straight up the stairs to get a seat with the best view. Luckily, this was a beautiful, sunny morning with very calm waters. A group of about six dolphins were even spotted just after the departure.

One man working who works for TheBus says he occasionally rides the bus “for fun,” especially with the possibility of its near closure. When asked about any information on the closure of TheBoat he said, “…if they [Oahu residents] make a big stink about it, maybe they’re [the Council] will leave in on; we don’t know yet.”

On this day many of the riders were discussing the future of TheBoat. Jenny Harper, a 22 year old Makakilo resident said she rides the boat almost every week day.

“Especially right now with finals coming up,” she said. “I easily commute to the UH Campus fairly quickly and cheaply.”

Another man added: “…TheBoat is very reliable, no anxiety like if the bus doesn’t come.” Two children also enjoyed the ride with their father and grandma.

“Float the boat!” said Aaron, a deckhand. “You can sleep on TheBoat but, you can’t sleep on the bus.”

Four crew members are along for the ride: a captain, a co-captain and two deck hands. They, too, are as just as in the dark about what is happening with the ferry as everyone else. It seems that many Oahu residents haven't even heard of TheBoat.

Don Kyles, a Kapolei resident and rider since April 2008 was on the ferry both Monday morning and Wednesday morning. He said he generally rides the boat Monday through Friday and would actually like to see it expand, not be shut down.

“The bus picks me up practically in front of my house and I work right next to Aloha Tower, so it works out perfectly for me.”

Kyles added that the actual commute time for catching the bus and the fairy takes about an extra 30 minutes than that by car, but he said spends the hour ride on the boat napping.

According to Mar, some people may ride to their destination, while others seem to carpool to town and only ride TheBoat home in the afternoon. The trip with the most passengers is in the afternoon, which departs at 3:55 p.m. from Aloha Tower back to Kalaeloa Pier.

“One-third of passengers ride in the morning while two-thirds ride in the afternoon,” Mar said.

“Save the Boat” fliers which were originally created by a customer of TheBoat are laid out on seats for the public to take. On the fliers contact information for the nine council members of the City Council is posted, encouraging the public to give input and to fight closure of TheBoat.

Of course TheBoat is not for everyone. Some simply don’t have the use for it, while others may not be able to handle the turbulence on a rough day. But if more Oahu residents had an open mind about their mode of transportation and gave the ferry a chance it seems as though they may actually find it very useful. Who doesn’t want an extra hour of sleep in the morning and to not have to deal with the fuss of traffic?