The Woodstock water shuttle docked at Alameda Landing — the bright yellow vessel that connects Alameda and Jack London Square.
We're thrilled to share that the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle — the little yellow boat we all know as Woodstock — will keep crossing the Estuary through at least June 2028.
On July 21, the Alameda City Council approved the Phase 2 Shuttle Pilot, extending a service the Alameda TMA has proudly supported since day one. As a founding partner, we've watched Woodstock grow from an ambitious pilot into a fixture of daily life for thousands of people traveling between Alameda and Oakland — and we're excited to help carry it forward for two more years.
The Phase 2 partnership includes the City of Alameda, San Francisco Bay Ferry (WETA), the Alameda Transportation Management Association (Alameda TMA), the West Alameda Transportation Demand Management Association (WATDMA), the Jack London Improvement District, and the Port of Oakland / Jack London Square.
Since Woodstock first launched on July 17, 2024, it's become a beloved, reliable way for people on foot and bike to move between Alameda Landing and Jack London Square.
📊 Two Years of Surpassing Expectations
The first phase of the Water Shuttle delivered results that exceeded every projection. Highlights from the first 24 months:
- 🚶 Carried 251,000 passengers and 60,000 bicycles across the Estuary.
- 🗓️ Expanded service from 5 to 6 days per week to meet rising demand.
- ⏱️ Increased weekly trips by 84%, from 187 to 345 trips per week.
- 🏆 Set record-breaking ridership in May 2026, including the highest single-day ridership to date with 1,039 riders.
- 🏅 In May 2025, earned a Transportation Planning Award of Excellence from the American Planning Association, California Chapter – Northern Section.
This free, ADA-accessible shuttle welcomes pedestrians and bicyclists, making sustainable travel between the two cities easy and enjoyable — exactly the kind of connection the Alameda TMA exists to build.
🚀 What Phase 2 Delivers
The Phase 2 Pilot secures service from July 2026 through June 2028, giving the partnership time to refine operations and plan for the shuttle's long-term future. Two grants totaling $1,475,000 from the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) anchor the public funding, while $1,565,000 in private partner contributions from transportation management associations and waterfront partners reflect the community's continued investment in the service.
Phase 2 continues the same proven inter-agency operations model:
- City of Alameda — project manager, funding coordinator, and Alameda dock provider.
- WETA (SF Bay Ferry) — day-to-day service operations and vessel maintenance.
- Alameda TMA — contributes to and coordinates partner funding and provides in-kind support.
- WATDMA (West Alameda Transportation Demand Management Association) — a key funding partner.
- Jack London Improvement District — contributor.
- Jack London Square / Port of Oakland — a major funding contributor and berthing-space provider.
💬 Voices Behind the Water Shuttle
"The Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle demonstrates that when neighbors, businesses, and public agencies work together, we can create something truly special. 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."
— Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft
"These ridership numbers speak for themselves. 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."
— Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator and Project Manager
"We are honored to continue operating this award-winning service. Woodstock shows how thoughtful partnerships can deliver reliable, sustainable connections across the Bay."
— Seamus Murphy, SF Bay Ferry Executive Director
🎉 Come Celebrate!
Join us for Woodstock's 2nd Birthday on Friday, July 31st at 11:45am at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park in Alameda. Festivities — including a short program and cupcakes (while supplies last) — will take place near the dock.
🔭 Looking Ahead
Over the next two years, the partnership will continue to pursue key goals, including:
- ⚡ Advancing plans for a fully electric vessel to meet regulatory requirements.
- 📋 Developing a long-term feasibility study.
- 💰 Identifying sustained funding sources beyond 2028.
The Water Shuttle's schedule is available at watershuttle.org or alamedaca.gov/watershuttle.
Source: City of Alameda press release. Photos of the vessel are available for media use here.
