How We’re Planning to Bring Ferry Service Back

Ferries in the San Francisco Bay


This story appears in the May 2020 issue of Full Speed Ahead, San Francisco Bay Ferry's newsletter. See the rest of this issue of Full Speed Ahead or subscribe to get each new issue via email.

Most San Francisco Bay Ferry service is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. We are operating limited service for essential workers on our Vallejo and Alameda/Oakland routes on weekdays. The Harbor Bay, Richmond and South San Francisco routes have been suspended, as have all weekend service and extension service to Pier 41 and Mare Island.

Service was cut to support regional public health orders for residents to shelter in place to reduce spread of coronavirus in the Bay Area, as well as to meet the significantly lowered demand.

We are planning for when that demand comes back.

WETA, the public agency that provides San Francisco Bay Ferry service, is currently developing service plans for the recovery phase once shelter in place orders are lifted and the Bay Area gets moving again. We look forward to sharing these plans with our riders as they are developed.

We know how important it will be to ensure continued safety for passengers in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. This could mean reducing maximum capacity on our ferries to ensure social distancing. Staff is developing plans for managing this once ridership increases later in the spring and summer.

We will also continue to follow public health recommendations regarding masks and other efforts to prevent spread of coronavirus. Because of its controlled capacity requirements, outdoor decks and overall cleanliness, we know commuters will agree that San Francisco Bay Ferry will be the best way to cross the Bay once shelter in place ends.

We’ll be announcing schedule changes using our newsletter email list, BayAlerts and on our social media channels. We also want to hear from you. Send your thoughts on how San Francisco Bay Ferry can make you feel safe and comfortable in the recovery phases via email to comeback@sanfranciscobayferry.com.