Richmond Ferry service to and from San Francisco will resume on Monday, June 15, with new safety protocols in place, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) announced today.
The Richmond Ferry service was suspended on March 17 in response to regional shelter-in-place orders. The service, which held a successful inaugural launch in January 2019, is funded under an agreement between WETA and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority using Contra Costa County Measure J transportation sales tax dollars.
Also today, WETA announced it will increase ridership on its Vallejo route starting June 15 due to high demand. The Alameda/Oakland routes remain on a reduced service schedule since March 17, while the Harbor Bay and South San Francisco routes remain suspended since that date.
“Decisions on further service enhancements and resumption of suspended routes will be made in the coming months as the economy opens up and travel and ridership demand increases,” according to WETA.
The agency has adopted a plan aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, including advanced cleaning, reduced capacity on ferries to allow for social distancing, face covering requirements and availability of hand sanitizer. Temperature checks will become routine for all ferry crew.
“As the region gets back to work, San Francisco Bay Ferry provides a safe, clean and comfortable way to cross the Bay,” said Jim Wunderman, chair of the WETA Board of Directors. “WETA’s safety plan is geared toward protecting passengers and crews while helping as many commuters as possible avoid the traffic congestion that’s already beginning to return.”
For ferry schedules and other information, click here.
