Ferry Ridership Up Nearly 50% at Port of Oakland's Jack London Square

425,970 passengers give boost to local restaurants and retail

Oakland, Calif. - Feb. 18, 2015 - Annual ridership on the SF Bay Ferry service to-and-from Jack London Square has increased nearly 50% in the past two years. The service reported today that the ferries connecting Oakland to San Francisco, Alameda, and South San Francisco saw a combined ridership of 425,970 last year, up from 285,767 in 2012.

“Ferry service along the San Francisco Bay continues to be incredibly popular, both for daily commuters and weekend travelers and tourists,” said SF Bay Ferry Manager Ernest Sanchez. “Providing transportation options along the waterfront will better serve neighboring communities and encourage greater economic development.”

Ferry service officials attributed the surge in ridership to a recovering economy, greater awareness of ferries as a travel option, and increased traffic congestion on highways and bridges.

The increased traffic has brought greater economic activity to Jack London Square, said the Port of Oakland, which owns and leases most of the property. Office space is 98% leased to capacity with Jack London Square Ventures, bringing more office workers as well as restaurant workers to Jack London Square. The Square is a mix of waterfront dining spots, retail outlets and offices on the Oakland Estuary.

“Jack London Square has seen a significant increase in dining, retail and recreational activity during the past year,” said Pam Kershaw, Port of Oakland Commercial Real Estate Director. “The Square is a vibrant destination for commuters and visitors who take the SF Bay Ferry.”

SF Bay Ferry operates four routes on the SF Bay which combined carry approximately 1.9 million passengers per year. San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Oakland operations include two routes: South San Francisco/East Bay and Alameda/Oakland/San Francisco.

SF Bay Ferry Web site: http://sanfranciscobayferry.com/

Jack London Square Web site: http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port's jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port's real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.