Boston, MA 02/13/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is all set to go the Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) way. It is now the latest tech biggie to launch its employee ferry-service from SF to Redwood City. What’s interesting is that Google has just ended its pilot program that had run for several weeks. Facebook, Google and many other technology companies have their office campuses in the South Bay and on the Peninsula. They all have been facing increasing opposition for having SF commuters travel on chartered buses. Protesters have on many an occasion blockaded numerous buses during the demonstrations against the technology industry’s role in San Francisco’s gentrification and use of public bus-stops by the private companies.
The free ride
In order to avoid the gridlocked traffic that plies on Highway 101 as well as protesters who may hinder travel, in early January, Google had experimented with a ferry service from SF. For a short span of time, it had also added one service from Alameda and both of them were discontinued last week. On 4 February, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) started chartering 1 “water taxi”. It was a 53-foot, 30-person catamaran named the “New El Dorado III”. This would carry the company’s employees (at no charge), from Pier 40 that is near the AT&T Park right to Redwood City port.
The perks
During this ride, employees can access Wi-Fi as well as free refreshments. Once the catamaran has docked, the employees then get on-board a company-chartered bus and take the 10 minute ride to the main campus at Menlo Park said Michael Giari, the Redwood City Port Director. This commute catamaran operates 1 round-trip every day on Tuesdays and on Fridays and is on a 90-day trial, said a Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) spokesman. The company has not disclosed the costs that are incurred for operating this ferry service and they pay the standard docking fees to Redwood City and San Francisco.
