SAN FRANCISCO | APRIL 6, 2026 – San Francisco Bay Ferry today announced it shattered its ridership record in March, carrying more than 300,000 passengers over the month. The previous high-water mark for SF Bay Ferry ridership in March was 239,639 passengers in 2019.
The 300,917 riders carried by SF Bay Ferry this March represents a 40% annual jump and beat the agency’s monthly record by 25%. This is the fourth consecutive month in which SF Bay Ferry beat its pre-pandemic performance.
“As the Bay Area economy recovers, regional travelers are choosing SF Bay Ferry for their commutes and recreational activities,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of SF Bay Ferry’s Board of Directors. “It’s a testament to the excellent, affordable experience the ferry provides.”
SF Bay Ferry’s 12-month ridership is 3.2 million through the end of March, or 97% of its all-time high reached in February 2020 just before COVID-related shutdowns. In 2021, the agency relaunched ferry service built around providing robust commute and off-peak service at lower fares. SF Bay Ferry has also leaned into new services including the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle connecting Jack London Square to Alameda Landing and popular service to Chase Center for Valkyries and Warriors games.
Passengers, who report a 98% satisfaction rating for the transit system, say they ride for the stress-free, reliable and affordable experience. “I always say this to my friends: Ferry is the best mode of transport in the Bay Area,” said Sagar, a passenger who commutes to Downtown San Francisco on the Richmond route.
San Francisco Bay Ferry is a regional public transit agency tasked with developing, operating and expanding ferry service on the San Francisco Bay and with coordinating the water transit response to regional emergencies. The agency operates ferry routes connecting the cities of Alameda, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, South San Francisco and Vallejo. More information is available at https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/media-center.
Media Inquiries:
Thomas Hall, SF Bay Ferry, media@sfbayferry.com, (415) 364-1759