Wolk gets good news on Rio Vista ferry service

Department of Transportation official estimates new ferry should be operational in 2007

SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) announced today that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to replace the 60-year-old ferry serving Ryer Island within a year.

“This is good news,” said Wolk, who wrote Caltrans earlier this month to request action on the matter. “The Real McCoy Ferry is the most direct route from Ryer Island to the City of Rio Vista. It is the most expedient path for local emergency medical services, fire and the sheriff department. When it comes to emergency services, speed is of the essence. If the ferry isn’t operational, lives are at risk.”

Over the years, inconsistent service by the Real McCoy Ferry has elicited complaints to Caltrans, which operates the ferry but licenses the Coast Guard to operate the vessel.

“Caltrans does everything possible to maintain the Real McCoy Ferry, which is over 60 years old, to operate without interrupting the ferry’s 24/7 operational schedule,” wrote Caltrans District Director Bijan Sartipi in his response to Wolk. “The project to replace the ferry is at the 95 percent design stage, and we expect to have a new replacement vessel in operation in 2007. This will increase the reliability of operation and efficiency of the ferry system.”

“I am encouraged by Caltrans’ prompt response to this request,” said Wolk. “My constituents depend on this ferry. If the current vessel is unable to meet their needs, it’s time for a new ship.”

Wolk has been an advocate for ferry service to Ryer Island since 2003, when she requested the ferry’s operation be exempted from the state’s hiring freeze after Caltrans shut down the ferry’s 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. service. That request was successful.