Most riders satisfied with sea transit

The pilot program's launch-day results encourage officials

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City officials said the turnout for TheBoat's launching yesterday showed the one-year pilot program was off to a good start, though it will take several weeks or months before they can see whether it will have an impact on alleviating Oahu's congested roads.

Despite a few mishaps -- spilled coffeepots and rocky rides -- many riders on the Melissa Ann said they would hop on it again, while others swore they would travel by land from now on.

There were 106 riders on the morning ferry trips from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower. During the afternoon commute, there were 101 riders at 4:20 p.m. and 26 at 6:50 p.m.

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As the Melissa Ann, one of the city's commuter ferry vessels, sailed into the sunset yesterday, many riders stood up and craned their necks to get a glimpse of Oahu's skyline.

Then the idyll was shattered by a sudden lurch.

"Whoo!" screamed the crowd as if it were the first dip of a roller coaster.

Samantha Capanero of Kapolei gripped a metal pole more tightly. She had been on a boat only once before, when she suspected the sea is not her friend.

After this ride, she knew it isn't.

"This is going to be the longest hour of my life," Capanero reflected as the boat continued lurching.

Hundreds of Oahu residents rode the city's commuter ferry, dubbed TheBoat, as it debuted yesterday, many gauging to see if it can replace their normal commute, others just for the fun.

"I was having a great time," said Jill Rotolo, of Ewa Beach, who enjoyed all the sea bumps and stomach churns. "I would ride it all the time."

The one-year pilot program is costing the city $5 million, in addition to a $5 million federal grant. Though Mayor Mufi Hannemann has said in the past that the future of the program -- such as expanding to more stops or adding more rides -- depends on the ridership, the city has avoided setting any specific goals.

"We haven't set any expectations," said Darin Mar, project manager for TheBoat. "We're here to demonstrate to the public that water transit is a possible alternative mode of transportation."

Melvin Kaku, city transportation director, said he expects there will be an extension of the one-year demonstration project, which would then include creating alternate stops. Community members have been pushing for the ferry to stop at Iroquois Point or at Ocean Pointe.

"Time will tell its popularity and potential," said City Councilman Todd Apo. "The analysis needs to be more on what are we doing from a traffic standpoint. If it's just replacing one express bus count of people, then we have to step back and ask if it's worthwhile. If it's getting people out of their cars, that's the cost justification."

Morning commuters totaled 106, rising to 127 in the afternoon.

"We're very happy with the numbers," said Kaku. "Obviously we hoped we could get even more, but it was a good start."

The second half of the city's ferry fleet, the Rachel Marie, out of operation this week pending Coast Guard certification, should be running in time for next week's promotional offer, city officials said.

Fares for TheBoat will be free next week, pending City Council approval tomorrow, in an effort to encourage more riders. The city also plans on installing free computer wireless service by Oct. 1 after reaching a deal with D.R. Horton.

Within the next couple of weeks, the city expects to have 50 parking stalls ready -- 30 park-and-ride stalls in the Kapolei business area and 20 spots at Kalaeloa Pier, with priority likely given to carpoolers.