The free pedestrian and bicycle ferry linking Oakland and Alameda, Calif., across the Oakland Estuary will continue to run through June 2028 after the Alameda City Council approved a second phase of the pilot water shuttle service on July 21.
The shuttle, a 45' yellow pontoon vessel named Woodstock, has carried passengers between Alameda Landing and Jack London Square since launching as a pilot program in July 2024. The City of Alameda said the vessel has carried 251,000 passengers and 60,000 bicycles over its first 24 months of service, with weekly trips rising 84% from 187 to 345 as the schedule expanded from five to six days a week.
Ridership hit a record in May 2026, including a single-day high of 1,039 riders, according to the city.
The initial pilot service was funded with $1 million in grant funding from the Alameda County Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and over $1.7 million from the ATMA, West Alameda Transportation Demand Management Association, Port of Oakland, Jack London Improvement District, and the City of Alameda.
The second phase is backed by $1,475,000 in grants from the Alameda County Transportation Commission, along with $1,565,000 in private contributions from transportation management associations and waterfront partners, plus in-kind staff support and a city match.
The City of Alameda will continue as project manager, funding coordinator, and Alameda dock provider, while San Francisco Bay Ferry, operating as WETA, will run day-to-day service and vessel maintenance. The Alameda Transportation Management Association and the West Alameda Transportation Demand Management Association contribute funding and in-kind support, while Jack London Square and the Port of Oakland provide berthing space at the Oakland dock and serve as a major funding contributor. The Jack London Improvement District is also a partner.
"The Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle demonstrates that when neighbors, businesses, and public agencies work together, we can create something truly special," said Alameda Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft. "This little yellow boat has connected our communities in ways we couldn't imagine. We are delighted to keep it moving for another two years."
"These ridership numbers speak for themselves," said Rochelle Wheeler, senior transportation coordinator and project manager for the city. "Residents, commuters and visitors have embraced the shuttle as a genuine transit option that gets people out of their cars and directly to their destinations. Phase 2 gives us the runway to plan for the long term."
"We are honored to continue operating this award-winning service," said Seamus Murphy, SF Bay Ferry executive director. "Woodstock shows how thoughtful partnerships can deliver reliable, sustainable connections across the Bay."
The Woodstock was originally built as a tour boat named Captain Jack in Buffalo, N.Y., before being purchased and modified at Romero’s Welding, Vallejo, Calif., for use in the Bay Area. It's propelled by twin 140-hp Suzuki outboards.
Over the next two years, the partners said they plan to pursue a fully electric vessel to meet regulatory requirements, complete a long-term feasibility study, and identify funding sources beyond 2028.
