Document Text
--- Document: Responses to Questions to South Amboy Ferry RFP for Ferry Operator Document ---
2021 Ferry Operator RFP Questions & Responses
Below please find responses to questions submitted by the respondents to the
South Amboy Ferry RFP for Ferry Operator. Supporting documents as necessary
are attached.
•
What is the expected start date for the service?
o The current timeline is as follows:
Expected authorization from the North Jersey Transportation Authority to
approve expenditure of allocated funds September 13, 2021.
Expected advertisement for Construction bids on or about October 1, 2021
Expected award date of Construction Contract on or about December 15, 2021.
Anticipated completion date of entire facility, excluding terminal building, on or
about October 1, 2022
•
Please provide available data regarding the expected ridership. E.g. any studies of South Amboy
or the surrounding area, etc.
o The ridership study from the original 2003 NEPA Document is attached.
•
Please provide information regarding previous commuter ferry services serving South Amboy,
including ridership, schedule of service, stops, fares, etc.
o Shortly after 9/11, Seastreak operated service in South Amboy.
o We do not possess any legacy data from that operation.
•
Please provide information regarding the wifi connectivity in the area where operations will be
conducted in South Amboy (terminal, boarding area, etc.), both prior to and after completion of
the terminal building.
o Both Verizon FIOS and Cablevision data services will be available at the site.
o The City intends to provide robust Wi-Fi coverage on the site upon completion of
construction.
•
Please provide a map showing expected depths in the areas of the approaches once dredging is
completed prior to commencement of service. If no map is available, please provide any other
information available.
o A dredging plan is attached. The dredge depth will be -13 feet (NAVD 88), which
approximately -10 feet (MLLW).
o At the entrance to the on-site channel, the existing elevation is -18 feet (NAVD), which is
approximately -15 feet (MLLW).
•
Please provide information regarding where, how and at what capacity electricity will be provided
prior to the completion of the terminal.
o At the floating dock, it is intended to have three (3), 100 Amp services, each 208 volt,
single phase.
•
Please provide further information regarding the temporary sale / ticket facility and restroom
facilities that will be used until the completion of the terminal. E.g. How many restrooms and
what quality / type? What types of facilities will be provided to support temporary sale / ticket
operations?
2021 Ferry Operator RFP Questions & Responses
o The City will provide temporary restroom facilities for public use and so suitably equipped.
The size of said facilities will be determined based upon the size of the ridership. The
equipment shall be cleaned daily and serviced on a regular basis. Temporary restrooms
will include those designed to accommodate ADA requirements.
o The City will provide a temporary kiosk/pre-fabricated structure to accommodate ticket
sales. Configuration of said kiosk will be determined by needs of the successful
respondent in cooperation with the City.
•
Please provide information regarding the arrangement for parking. Will there be a fee and if so
how much? Who is responsible for collection of any parking fee? Who will receive the
revenue? Who is responsible for any liability regarding parked cars, management of the lot,
security of the lot, etc.?
o The City does not envision a parking fee for the lot. The liability, management, and
security of the lot as well as its maintenance will be the responsibility of the City.
•
Is a subsidy available to the operator from the town, from the State, or any other entity for this
service? If there is no subsidy, would there be a minimum farebox guarantee if the revenues do
not meet a certain expectation?
o There are State programs based on ridership miles available. The City is not offering a
subsidy.
o There will not be a minimum farebox guarantee.
•
What is South Amboy’s expectation regarding the vessels’ emissions?
o The City’s expectation regarding emissions is that the successful respondent shall comply
with air quality regulations from both the NJ Department of Environmental Protection as
well as the Environmental Protection Agency or any other State or Federal agency with
competent jurisdiction.
•
Are there current ridership projections available for the proposed service.
o The most current data is contained in the 2003 NEPA Document which is attached.
•
Can the City of South Amboy share a specific time schedule for the construction of the ferry facility
and the adjacent ferry parking.
o The construction schedule is attached. In terms of timeline the City will be granted
authorization to proceed with the use of its funding at the September 13, 2021 meeting
of the NJTPA [North Jersey Transportation Authority]. Fifteen to twenty days thereafter
the project will be added to the New Jersey Department of Transportation STIP at which
time the City will be able to advertise bids for both Construction Engineering and
Construction of the facility.
•
Who is managing the ferry parking lots and does the City of South Amboy expect a parking fee to
be charged? If so, what is the anticipated charge.
o The City will manage and maintain the public parking lot for the facility. The City intends
to provide free parking in support of the facility.
•
Is the City of South Amboy prepared to contribute to the marketing of the ferry service initially or
on a long term basis?
o The City will work cooperatively with the successful respondent and the residential
developers contiguous or nearby the ferry site to develop marketing strategies that will
make the service viable for the long term.
2021 Ferry Operator RFP Questions & Responses
o Any financial commitment by the City to marketing can be a subject of negotiation with
the successful respondent during contract discussions.
•
Can the City of South Amboy provide a construction schedule for the proposed development
adjacent to the ferry landing?
o There are three new residential developments either in progress or under negotiation for
the parcels contiguous to or within 1/3 mile of the ferry site.
Manhattan Beach [BNE Real Estate] is currently completing the first 291 units of
market rate housing immediately adjacent to the ferry site. The developer
reports that they plan to begin construction of the remaining 236 units by the end
of Summer 2021. Additional information regarding that project can be seen at
www.stationbaynj.com.
March Development in partnership with Claremont development have proposed
a 486-unit market rate complex adjacent to and immediately south of the
Manhattan Beach/Station Bay project. They have been designated as the
redeveloper by the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, have executed a
redevelopment agreement with the City of South Amboy, have a PILOT
agreement pending before the City Council, and will appear before the Planning
Board on August 25, 2021. It is anticipated that their project will be approved
September/October 2021. Image from their Planning Board exhibit attached.
The City is currently in negotiations with a developer to develop all remaining
parcels immediately adjacent to the ferry site [excluding the Gen-On/JCP&L site.
The project as proposed will include approximately 1000 units of high-rise
condominiums and town homes along with several “destination” restaurant sites.
Negotiations for this project are ongoing.
The Riverton site in Sayreville, located less than one mile from the ferry facility, is
slated to have a combination of large format retail along with approximately
2.500 units of housing. https://experienceriverton.com/
In order to augment transparency in the procurement process and to allow for
additional follow up questions the City will accept follow up questions through
July 28, 2021 and will respond appropriately by July 30, 2021.