Ferry

The purpose of the Ferry Program is to provide infrastructure and operating support for ferry services to and from San Mateo County. Ferries currently serve the South San Francisco Oyster Point area with another route planned to reach Redwood City. Ferry terminal development, capital projects, and operations are coordinated with each city and the San Francisco Bay Ferry.

As defined in the 2004 Transportation Expenditure Plan,  Measure A provides funding the Ferry Program category with a two percent share of sales tax revenues collected. The funding is to be equally provided for capital projects and service in South San Francisco and Redwood City. The SMCTA Strategic Plan 2025-2029 projected that Measure A will generate  approximately $2.5 million per year in available funding for this program. 

The existing South San Francisco terminal opened in 2012 and is located at the Oyster Point Marina. The Ferry terminal and landside improvements include connections with SamTrans buses, Commute.org shuttles, and private company shuttles along with bicycle and pedestrian pathways. SMCTA funding was used to support site demolition, dredging, pier construction, and floating gangway construction.  

The Redwood City Ferry Terminal project envisions ferry service to the mid-peninsula with Redwood City as the southernmost hub for the San Francisco Bay Ferry system. This potential service would provide a commute alternative connecting the mid-peninsula to San Francisco and Oakland in the East Bay.  The potential terminal would be constructed within the Port of Redwood City at the end of Seaport Boulevard.  Waterside improvements would include a passenger float, piles, fixed pier and gangway. Landside improvements would include a parking lot, bus and shuttle drop-off facilities, bike storage, restrooms, and public access amenities such as trails, benches, picnic tables, etc.

A second ferry terminal in South San Francisco is being explored to address sea level rise and other environmental factors in the Oyster Point Marina near the existing terminal. In addition to ther second terminal, the proposed landside improvements would include site grading as required to address sea level rise, hardscape, landscape, and stormdrain improvements, and upgrades to an existing guest dock, a ticketing kiosk and shelter for Ferry boat patrons to protect them from the elements. The project once completed would accommodate service expansion possibily to San Francisco's Mission Bay and The Ferry Building as well as weekend service to destinations such as The Chase Center and Pier 39.

SF Bay Ferry is responsible for developing the regional vision for the future of ferry service that includes stronger connections that are sustainable, accessible, and built for resilience in the face of a changing climate. The 2050 Service Vision is grounded in four key priorities — the “4 E’s”: Enhance, Expand, Electrify, and Emergency Response. These pillars guided the updated approach to growing a ferry system that is regionally connected, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable.

To learn more about the SF Bay Ferry 2050 Service Vision and Business Plan, please visit: https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/service-vision-and-business-plan/

This section will be updated as program funding is awarded by the SMCTA Board of Directors.

Measure A Ferry Program Funding Awards

To get more general information on the SF Bay Ferry service, please visit: https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/