Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle

1. Where does the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle go?
   • The Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle makes two stops, connecting Alameda Landing in west Alameda to Jack London Square in Oakland. Find our map here.
2. Where is the Alameda dock located?
   • The Water Shuttle stops at the new public dock in Bohol Circle Immigrant Park at the northern terminus of Fifth Street, near Target.
3. Where is the Oakland dock located?
   • The Water Shuttle stops at the public dock at the southern terminus of Broadway in Jack London Square, just west of Scott’s Restaurant.
4. What is the cost to ride the Water Shuttle?
   • It’s FREE! Thanks to our funding partners there is no fare to ride the Water Shuttle.
5. Is the Water Shuttle accessible by wheelchair?
   • Yes, the boat, boarding ramp and docks are designed to accommodate people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. At very low tides, the gangways from shore to the docks are somewhat steeper. Please use caution.
6. What days and times does the Water Shuttle operate?
   • The Water Shuttle operates Tuesday through Sunday, 12-15 hours per day. There’s no service on Mondays. For the full schedule, click here.
7. Are bikes allowed on board?
   • Yes, bicycles are welcome, including cargo bikes. Please park your bike along the dedicated railing spaces, using the provided straps. A maximum of 14 bikes are allowed at one time.
8. Where do I wait for the Water Shuttle?
   
   • Wait on the shore, and not on the docks, ramps or gangways. Please follow the instructions in any signage. The boat crew will signal when you should start loading. Please let everyone exit the boat and ramps before moving to the docks.
9. Can I bring my dog on the Water Shuttle?
   
   • Pets -- including comfort animals and emotional support animals -- can only be brought aboard the Water Shuttle if they are within an enclosed pet carrier that can fit on your lap and they do not pose a threat to passengers or crew members.
   • Trained service animals or service animals in training may be brought aboard provided they remain under the passenger's control and do not pose a threat to passengers or crew members.
   • For more information about SF Bay Ferry’s pet policy, please visit: https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/pets.
10. Can I keep my seat and ride back and forth (round trip)?
    • All passengers are required to disembark after each trip. If you wish to immediately return on the next boat, you must exit the boat and get in line. Note that if there are more than 31 people (the maximum number of passengers) already waiting, you will have to wait for the following boat departure.

11. Does the Water Shuttle run on holidays?

    • Only on some holidays. The water shuttle operates on all holidays that occur during regular days of operation (Tuesdays through Sundays), except for Thanksgiving Day (11/28/24), Christmas Day (12/25/24) and New Years Day (01/01/25). More information can be found here.
12. Are strollers allowed on board?

• Yes!

13. Who do I contact with an operational issue?

• Our operator, SF Bay Ferry’s customer service: 877-64-FERRY or customerservice@sanfranciscobayferry.com

14. Where do I send suggestions or feedback?

• This is a pilot project. We want to hear how it’s working for you or how we can make it more useful. Please send suggestions using our online form.

15. How can I stay updated about the latest schedule and any other changes or updates?

• SF Bay Ferry alerts via text, email or app – get alerts if service is suspended for any reason.
• City’s mailing list – general notices about the service, changes, opportunities for input.
• City of Alameda and SF Bay Ferry webpages will always have the updated schedule.

1.  Where can I park my car near the Alameda dock?
   • There is a small public parking lot nearby, to the east of Fifth Street, on Tradewind Drive (map). Two ADA spaces and 34 standard spaces are available. Parking is limited to 4-hours maximum. There is also limited on street parking in the area.
2. Where can I park my car in Jack London Square?
   • There are three public parking garages in Jack London Square, including at the foot of Broadway beneath the restaurant Plank (map). The Water Shuttle does not provide validation for parking in Jack London Square.
3. Can I take transit to or from the water shuttle?
   • This handy map shows all of the transit options between Alameda and Oakland.
   • In Alameda, AC Transit Line 96 serves west Alameda and stops ¼ mile away on Mitchell Avenue (behind Target). Line 19 serves central Alameda via Buena Vista Ave. and stops ½ mile away near the Posey Tube portal at Marina Village Pkwy & Mariner Square Dr.
   • In Oakland, AC Transit Line 12 stops on Embarcadero West between Broadway and Franklin St. Line 72/72M/72R stops at 2^nd St & Washington St. You can also easily connect to Amtrak trains at the Jack London Square Station and SF Bay Ferry’s Oakland Terminal is less than a block away.
4. Where can I safely park my bike near the docks?
   • In Alameda, there are 12 Bike Link lockers next to the playground at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park. Bike racks are distributed throughout the park.
   • In Oakland, the closest Bike Link lockers are in the plaza at the Jack London Square Amtrak Station.  Bike racks are distributed throughout Jack London Square.
5. What are the safe bike routes connecting to the Water Shuttle?
   • Bike Walk Alameda has a wonderful guide on getting to Bohol Circle Immigrant Park from different parts of the Cross Alameda Trail.
   • In Oakland, refer to OakDOT’s bike map, or stop by Bike East Bay’s headquarters in Jack London Square for a paper map and some tips, located steps from the Oakland dock on Water St.
6. What can I do if I miss the last boat or if the boat is not available?
   • AC Transit has many lines serving Alameda and Oakland via the Posey and Webster Tubes. Line 96 stops in Alameda on Mitchell Avenue behind Target. In Oakland, board Line 96 at 7^th St. & Franklin St.
   • Check out this handy map to see all of your options.

1. What is the name of the boat?
   • The boat is named Woodstock, which is the name of the Gold Rush era settlement and early terminus of the trans-continental railroad on Alameda’s west end.
2. Why are there gaps in the schedule?
   • They’re needed for required crew breaks, refueling and crew changeover.
3. Why does the service not operate longer hours or more days per week?
   • Service levels match the funding available. The Water Shuttle is a two-year pilot service provided by a public-private partnership. The schedule has been modified over time in response to funding availability and rider demand.
4. Who is the operator of the Water Shuttle?
   • SF Bay Ferry operates the shuttle with their contract provider Blue & Gold Fleet.
5. Who is funding and supporting this service?
   • This new water shuttle service is being developed and supported by a growing team of agencies and organizations. Click here to see the current list.
6. What public input did you use in creating the service schedule?
   • The City of Alameda conducted a survey in Spring 2023 and collected over 2,300 responses. The results, summarized here, helped inform our initial launch service schedule. We'll be conducting additional surveys to collect feedback and hear more about what service the public would like.
7. Why is the Water Shuttle running on a fixed schedule instead of on-demand?
   • Passenger ferries in the Bay Area currently operate on a fixed schedule, which allows the predictability and reliability that travelers – especially commuters planning their trips -- need. Variability in transit time in the busy Oakland Estuary is another factor. Providing a fixed schedule also allows the project partners to reliably model fuel burn and other variable expenses.
     The plan is for the ferry to run on its schedule regardless of whether there are passengers waiting to board – the ferry will need to cross to meet its next departure in any case. However, this is a pilot service and an opportunity to learn about what service model best fits the needs of this route and market. The project partners have agreed to review data and make adjustments – including consideration of an on-demand model -- over the 2-year pilot as needed.