Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/239554
8A Daily News – Friday, January 10, 2014 Google launches private ferry service for workers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — How's this for an employee perk? Google workers commuting from San Francisco to the company's Silicon Valley campus can now make part of the trek on an 83-foot, Wi-Fiequipped catamaran. The search engine company has launched a free ferry service from San Francisco's ferry terminal to the Port of Redwood City about 26 miles away, where employees can then hop on a private bus to work. Welcome to Named the ''Triumphant,'' the charter ferry can carry up to 150 passengers and runs twice each morning and evening, with voyages lasting about 47 minutes each way, according to KPIX-TV. ''They're going to see if this is something their employees want, and if it makes economic and logistical sense,'' said Peter Dailey, maritime director for the Port of San Francisco, which operates the terminal used by the Google ferry and other charter services, told the San Jose Mercury News. None of Google Inc.'s competitors has announced similar ferry plans. Google will reportedly pay about $50 each time it docks its ferry in San Francisco. The company's venture into aquatic commuting depends on the impact on public ferry operation. ''We certainly don't want to cause any inconvenience to San Francisco residents and we're trying alternative ways to get Googlers to work,'' a Google representative said in a statement Wednesday. Google is hoping to defuse a growing controversy as the boat service started on the same day San Francisco city officials said Google and other tech companies, including Apple Inc. and Genentech Inc., that use public bus stops to pick up thousands of employees on private shuttles must pay roughly $1 per stop per day as part of an 18-month pilot program. Critics of Google's buses are not thrilled by news of the boat, citing concerns that catamarans are worse for the environment than shuttle buses. ''I have nothing against tech workers,'' Sarah SherburnZimmer, an organizer for the Housing Rights Committee who has been instrumental in the protests against Google's buses, told the San Francisco Chronicle. ''There's nothing environmentally friendly about moving a workforce huge distances. It doesn't matter how you do it.'' GROWNEY MOTORS (530) 527-1034 1160 MAIN ST., RED BLUFF 0% Financing For 72 Months on Select New Vehicles. Serving the North State Since 1922 Para mas informacion en Español, Llame Alex www.geogrowney.com BUICK We Aim OAC To Please 4X4 4X4 4X4 2010 GMC 1500 SLE 2010 BUICK LOCAL TRADE, ENCLAVE CX HEATED SEATS, V8 FWD, LOCAL TRADE. #100128 #257756 19,995 23,995 2013 CHEVY 2500 HD LT 2008 FORD F-450 XL DUALLY PRIOR RENTAL, BED LINER. LEATHER, READY TO TOW. $ 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LS PRIOR RENTAL, FWD, 4 CYL. #275021 2007 CHRYSLER 300 C HEMI, LEATHER, LOADED.. #206105 $ #121188 41,995 11,495 2012 KIA SPORTAGE 14,495 2008 GMC YUKON XL DANALI $ $ PRIOR RENTAL, FWD, 4 DR. #339798 AWD, LEATHER, HEATED SEATS. #153003 17,995 $ 31,995 $ #C17010 $ 34,995 2013 CHEVY IMPALA LT PRIOR RENTAL, V6, FWD. #125577 2012 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT PRIOR RENTAL, 4X4 LEATHER. #122803 ALL PRICES PLUS SALES TAX, LICENSE FEES, DOC FEES, ANY FINANCE CHARGE, ANY DEALER PREPARATION CHARGE, ANY EMISSION CHARGE, ANY DOCUMENTATION PREPARATION CHARGE, ANY SMOG FEES AND ANY TIRE FEES. ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE & CREDIT APPROVAL. SALE EXPIRES JAN. 16, 2014 17,495 $ 35,995 $