Alameda-South SF Ferry to Start in June

Bay City News Service—Direct ferry service between the East Bay — Alameda and Oakland — and Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco is on track to start operations in June.

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority board of directors met Thursday to adopt a fare structure for the new service, which will carry peak-hour commuters from ferry terminals in Oakland and Alameda to Oyster Point Ferry Terminal in about 40 minutes, WETA transportation coordinator Ernest Sanchez said.

The new service will operate weekdays (Monday through Friday) between Alameda's Main Street ferry terminal, Oakland's Jack London Square and the new South San Francisco Oyster Point ferry terminal.

When the newest transbay service begins on June 4, there will be three morning rush-hour departures from the East Bay, and two return trips from Oyster Point in the evening, Sanchez said. The number of weekday trips will be revisited depending on the popularity of the new service.

"As demand increases and we find out what's really there, we'll add more service, he said.

Each eco-friendly Gemini ferry — which features free Wi-Fi and runs on a bio-diesel blend 10 times cleaner than regular diesel — carries up to 149 passengers and has room for 34 bikes.

The $7 one-way adult fare includes a free transfer to shuttle service that connects Oyster Point with key business centers in South San Francisco. Some major employers in the region have already said they plan to run their own shuttles to and from the ferry terminal, Sanchez said.

The fare for seniors, disabled passengers and children 5 to 12 years old was set at $3.50. Children under 5 will ride free.

WETA executive director Nina Rannells said at Thursday's meeting that she was excited for the new service to get under way and hoped that the route would catch on with the public.

"Because it's new, we're not sure how many people will come out and ride," she said. "We hope a lot."

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