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Post by bchevy on Feb 7, 2007 21:53:22 GMT -4
I don't get it.
They have trouble keeping the BUS service, and they are studying a passenger ferry service to Annapolis/Baltimore?
Can someone hire me for these studies? I need some easy money.
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 7, 2007 22:29:09 GMT -4
I can't figure out how they think this might alleviate the issue of volume on the roads How many cars can you fit on a ferry - it can't be a fraction of what crosses the bridge per hour. I think someones blowing smoke at us thinking it will slow down the complaints associated with a new bridge span - then we'll probably hear after many dollars are spent on the study that "it won't work"
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Post by falgar25 on Feb 8, 2007 6:38:33 GMT -4
I love statistics! The bridge is over-capacity at times of peak usage and the ferry service would reduce the number of cars. Also, the ferry would carry about 40 passengers and would run from 6AM to 7PM. My guess is the ferry would be weekdays only - it's a commuter ferry after all.
The peak usage on the bridge is caused by reach the beach people on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Would 40 cars really make a difference on Friday, the one day that peak bridge traffic overlaps with the likely ferry service?
Would 40 cars make a real difference at any time?
Yes, I know it's 40 people/trip. I'm guessing that a trip to Baltimore will take an hour or more and that there won't be much demand for anything after the second trip (people will need to be at work before then). Annapolis *might* be a different story, but I would have to choose between being there in 25 minutes or waiting for the next ferry to arrive.
If the ferry ran later or on weekends to provide passage for tourists from/to KI (more "from" than "to") then I might get behind that. Heck, there might even be interest for some in Annapolis to ride the ferry to KI then pick up another to Baltimore; a nice cruise on a summer day.
If I lived on the western shore and I heard about a proposal to fund a ferry to carry KI people to Annapolis and Baltimore, I'd probably vote against it.
A ferry is a cool idea for people looking to reinvent the wheel (or the model-T) but it's going to be a hard to make it look like a profitable venture.
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Post by bchevy on Feb 8, 2007 6:51:15 GMT -4
The article in the paper said "the ferry service would carry NO VEHICLES, only foot passengers" and "the need is there"
Who the hell is feeding that information out?
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Post by baycitydan on Feb 8, 2007 10:01:12 GMT -4
My brother lives in MASS and their commuter ferries around the Cape offer "cruises to nowhere" at night that are basically booze cruises with live music. I'd be all for that!
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 8, 2007 10:19:56 GMT -4
I've got no heartache over a ferry going from Kent Island to Annapolis or Baltimore for a day trip, etc. But if their thinking is to move daily commuter traffic, no way would it have an impact.
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Post by matt on Feb 8, 2007 12:24:21 GMT -4
Actually it very well may. Anyone commuting now to Baltimore or Annapolis by car could take the ferry. I trust the "40 passengers" is in error? if that's the case, it's probably a small, hi-speed ferry which may well make multiple trips. 40 people is 40 cars max, that's near useless without multiple ferries running simultaneously. However, 400 people could be 400 cars off the road at peak hour. That'd be a small bandaid, but it would actually help. If I worked in/near downtown Annapolis or B-more, I'd much rather ride a boat than drive with the nutters in cars...
I'd suggest we see what comes up. Really, it can only help, even if by an un-noticeable amount.
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 8, 2007 12:38:59 GMT -4
Yeah, I agree Matt if it could handle a large volume of people.
The thing is you would have to work in either Annapolis or Baltimore - and, how exactly would those people get to their offices once they're on the other side - some type of public transportation (i.e., taxi, bus, etc.)?
It would be interesting to get a count of who travels over the bridge to various areas (i.e, Annapolis, Baltimore, DC, other) for work to get an idea of what impact it could have.
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Post by matt on Feb 8, 2007 12:46:20 GMT -4
They have likely done that study in the past - lots of ways to conduct them. Indeed, I'd be shocked to find they don't have the data to suggest it (even accounting for the gross incompetence and negligence of our government employees).
I figure there are a number of people from the shore commuting to (specifically) downtown Annapolis or Baltimore. Taxis, buses, or light rail, if not walking, would be sufficient to get people to their desks off the ferries, I'd guess.
If I worked downtown, and the ferry was even remotely convenient... I'd be on it. No matter what, every car off the highway is one less car in the backup, and 20-200 feet more road space.
Thinking about it, passenger-only ferries make the most sense, and a good bit of it, too.
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 8, 2007 12:58:46 GMT -4
Think how much more space there would be available to keep two "pink thingys" between each car on the bridge Unfortunately, I work in Virginia and the wife in DC -won't help us much as far as riding the ferry.
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red
Junior Member
Posts: 66
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Post by red on Feb 8, 2007 13:07:31 GMT -4
As someone who lives in Kent Island and drives to Annapolis every day, I love the idea of the Ferry. However, I read that the ferry would be on a 75 minute rotation -- that doesn't seem like an accomodating schedule for commuters.
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Post by bigdaddy on Feb 8, 2007 17:37:15 GMT -4
If they follow up with good bus service at the other end it might help. Ive taken ferries all over the world and the key is to get where you need to go. I don't want to get to baltimore only to walk 10 blocks in the cold.
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Post by bchevy on Feb 8, 2007 18:43:54 GMT -4
It would be interesting to get a count of who travels over the bridge to various areas (i.e, Annapolis, Baltimore, DC, other) for work to get an idea of what impact it could have. They (MDTA) have that info. They studied that before too. I think it would make a great tourist attraction, I can't see a way for it to benefit commuter traffic at all.
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Post by Mike on Feb 9, 2007 8:47:13 GMT -4
please no more tourists
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Post by kl on Feb 9, 2007 9:20:51 GMT -4
Why so negative GBM? When you go on vacation, do you think the natives of the place where you and your family are taking the vacation, wish the same of you? Not surprised to see your negative karma in the triple digits.
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Post by Mike on Feb 9, 2007 9:38:44 GMT -4
kl -- When I go somewhere on a trip I drive above the speed limit, I don't have a turtle top or 500 bikes on the back of my SUV and I don't drive like a moronic tourist. I'm not surprised to YOUR karma in the negative single digits.
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Post by bchevy on Feb 9, 2007 9:40:00 GMT -4
I'm never a tourist..... ever.....
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Post by Mike on Feb 9, 2007 9:41:14 GMT -4
me either man, I learn the area before going. I have my laptop setup with the GPS so I know EXACTLY where I'm going. I have never once considered myself a tourist. If I felt like I was a tourist I'd kill myself.
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Post by ljp on Feb 9, 2007 12:02:52 GMT -4
We travel A LOT and I used to travel every week for a living so I am very used to being a tourist. However, I do not go into the local grocery store in my bikini. (and for those of you who know me you'll understand how lucky those locals are ) I don't throw my McDonalds bags on the back roads where people live. I don't choose to go where there is a lot of congestion anyways so i don't need to worry about clogging up anybody's roads. I obey traffic laws because I recognize that I am in the same country and that the laws are the same as they are at home! If I see a pretty body of water or a boat and I feel a picture is needed, then someone else in the car takes it and while I am driving the speed limit. I know you people have seen folks come to a dead stop at the center of the bridge for a photo op!! I recently went to L.A. and wanted a picture of the Hollywood sign. I parked my car got out and stood on sidewalk to get it. My point is I am respectful. I treat neighborhoods that belong to others like I treat my own. Tourists come over here and not only act like they are already at the beach they are disrespectful. Everybody thinks they know a short cut so they clog up our back roads. Making it so that if I don't go to the grocery store and post office during the week it can't get done. I feel like a prisoner in my own home during the summer. I can't get out onto 18 to go anywhere and when I am able to, I have to stand in long lines behind some foul mouthed teenager or some kid that is kicking me while their parents talk about what they are going to do 'when they get there'.
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Post by Mike on Feb 9, 2007 12:08:46 GMT -4
my sentiments are exactly those of ljp.. including the bikini part (for me of course)
OCEAN CITY IS CLOSED
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Post by bchevy on Feb 9, 2007 12:33:57 GMT -4
You go LJP!
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Post by shoreman on Feb 9, 2007 12:58:51 GMT -4
I think the passenger ferry is a good idea. Since we pay taxes to support the bus services in the metro areas, how about some of that tax money benefiting us on the shore? How about the MTA having stops set up where the ferry lets passengers off and take them along the bus route to the city etc....
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Post by BlueMule on Feb 9, 2007 13:11:13 GMT -4
I say why not.
The network they have between Falmouth, and Woods Hole, MA to Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vinyard has been successfully operating forever. It would be the perfect model for a multiple destination network of ferries around here.
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 9, 2007 13:14:36 GMT -4
GBM/LJP - I agree with most of what you say - I hate the congestion, etc. also. But... some of what you say can also be attributed to the locals as well - inconsiderate kids, littering, erratic driving, stopping on the bridge (though usually to jump ), etc. They've got every right to travel through, I just want them to keep movin'. BChevy - the dictionary definition for tourist is "a person who travels for pleasure"; come on, you can't tell me you don't ever travel for pleasure. Doesn't mean you have to have a camera around your neck, bermuda shorts w/white socks and sandals, etc. GBM - and no, you're not a tourist if you go to a strip joint
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Post by bchevy on Feb 9, 2007 13:29:52 GMT -4
OK, maybe, but the locals wont be pointing me out
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