FY 2013 Operating and Capital Budget - Metro Transit
FY 2013 Operating and Capital Budget - Metro Transit
FY 2013 Operating and Capital Budget - Metro Transit
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Business Enterprises<br />
Riverfront Attractions<br />
Overview:<br />
Established in 1891, the Gateway Arch Riverboats is the oldest excursion boat company to<br />
continuously operate on the Mississippi River. Originally known as Streckfus Steamers, the<br />
Gateway Arch Riverboats have made St. Louis its home port since 1917. In July 2001, <strong>Metro</strong><br />
purchased the Becky Thatcher <strong>and</strong> Tom Sawyer riverboat operation to preserve the riverboats as<br />
a part of the overall St. Louis Riverfront experience. Through on board narrations by National<br />
Park Service rangers, the Gateway Arch Riverboats are a natural extension of the educational<br />
programs currently offered at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.<br />
The Gateway Arch Riverboats offer two primary public cruises. The one-hour sightseeing cruise<br />
departs five times a day seasonally, with additional times added as needed to accommodate<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>. The evening dinner cruise features dinner, live riverboat style-jazz music, <strong>and</strong><br />
magnificent views of the St. Louis skyline. The Gateway Arch Riverboats are also utilized for<br />
corporate/convention functions, weddings, reunions, fundraisers, <strong>and</strong> other special events.<br />
The Gateway Arch Riverboats also operate the Arch View Café, gift shop, bike rental<br />
concessions, <strong>and</strong> a public use heliport barge offering helicopter tours.<br />
Strategic focus:<br />
The goal of the Gateway Arch Riverboats is to complement the unique entertainment <strong>and</strong><br />
educational opportunities at the Gateway Arch while generating additional revenue. This<br />
requires the combined efforts of <strong>Metro</strong> <strong>and</strong> the National Park Service through creative <strong>and</strong><br />
aggressive marketing strategies. The Riverboats <strong>and</strong> the National Park Service will continue<br />
their National Award winning Riverboat Educational Programs. In <strong>FY</strong> <strong>2013</strong>, our goal to<br />
increase passenger revenue includes the introduction of a new program of cruises that focuses on<br />
St. Louis' involvement in the Civil War.<br />
Website:<br />
www.gatewayarchriverboats.com<br />
Number of passengers yearly<br />
(<strong>FY</strong> 2011 Actual):<br />
Sightseeing 62,309<br />
Dinner cruise 7,157<br />
Charter cruise 6,764<br />
Tom Sawyer Riverboat:<br />
Capacity 350 passengers<br />
Year built 1966<br />
Becky Thatcher Riverboat:<br />
Capacity 300 passengers<br />
Year built 1963<br />
125,000<br />
100,000<br />
75,000<br />
50,000<br />
25,000<br />
0<br />
Passengers<br />
<strong>FY</strong>08 Act<br />
<strong>FY</strong>09 Act<br />
<strong>FY</strong>10 Act<br />
<strong>FY</strong>11 Act<br />
<strong>FY</strong>12 Proj<br />
<strong>FY</strong>13 Bud<br />
151
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