Major Passenger Experience Improvements Coming to San Francisco Bay Ferry

SAN FRANCISCO | March 4, 2022 – The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Board of Directors on Thursday approved contract awards with two firms that will result in major passenger experience improvements for San Francisco Bay Ferry riders.

Swiftly Inc., a San Francisco-based mobility solutions company, will provide real-time ferry departure information systems for WETA. These algorithmic real-time predictions will allow San Francisco Bay Ferry passengers to more easily know when their vessel will arrive and depart, enhancing reliability and ease of use for the ferry system. Real-time data will be available via a variety of sources including smartphone apps, the San Francisco Bay Ferry website and terminal signs to maximize utility for passengers. Real-time data will also streamline operational efficiency.

The Board also authorized WETA to enter an agreement with Anchor Operating System to provide an integrated ticketing solution to complement Clipper, the Bay Area’s multi-agency transit fare product. The Anchor ticketing system, which has been deployed on transit operators nationwide including NYC Ferry, will streamline paper, mobile and special event ticket sales across the ferry system, providing better access to passengers. This will include a dedicated app in which to purchase mobile and special event tickets as well as the ability for the first time ever to purchase ferry tickets on the San Francisco Bay Ferry website.

"Making the ferry easier to ride is crucial in rebuilding ridership," said WETA Executive Director Seamus Murphy. "Adding real-time predictions and streamlining our ticketing systems will boost the already-strong passenger experience and better welcome new riders on board."

Both the real-time information system and the integrated ticketing system will launch later in 2022. Clipper will remain available as a payment method for all regular ferry service. The contract award approvals were made after robust, competitive procurement processes.

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