The golden gate ferry (GGF) provides essential public transportation between marin county and SAN francisco serving as a key link in the BAY areas regional transit network.GGF ferries offer an…

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District $1,121,451 on August 20, 2026, under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) to support operational activities for Golden Gate Ferry service between Marin County and San Francisco during fiscal year 2026–27.

The funding supports eligible ferry operational costs including salaries and fringe benefits for operations staff (deckhands, engineers, terminal staff, and supervisors), diesel fuel procurement, repair and maintenance supplies (parts, tools, lubricants, and safety equipment), and insurance premiums and regulatory fees required for lawful operations. These activities maintain daily service reliability and keep vessels in a state of good repair, preventing service disruptions. Golden Gate Ferry provides essential public transportation serving as a key link in the Bay Area's regional transit network, with strong intermodal connections to BART, Muni, Caltrain, and regional bus services. The ferry offers an environmentally friendly alternative to automobile travel, reducing congestion on U.S. Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Performance runs through June 30, 2027, with work performed in California.

Activities

The ferry boat program (FBP) funds will be used to support eligible operational activities that are essential to maintaining golden gate ferry (GGF) service between marin county and SAN francisco during fiscal year 26/27. Specifically the following activities will be performed:during FY 26/27 the following operational activities will be supported by FBP funds:staffing and personnela portion of salaries and fringe benefits for ferry operations staff including deckhands engineers terminal staff and supervisors will be funded to maintain daily service reliability.fuel procurementthe project will fund a portion of the diesel fuel costs required to operate GGF vessels one of the most significant ongoing operational expenditures.repair and maintenance suppliesfbp funds will be applied to essential repair parts tools lubricants and safety equipment required to keep vessels in a state of good repair and prevent service disruptions.insurance permits and compliance coststhe funding will also support compliance-related operational costs including insurance premiums and regulatory fees necessary to ensure lawful ferry operations. These activities ensure alignment with fhwas operational cost eligibility guidelines and directly support uninterrupted safe and efficient ferry service throughout FY 2027.

Expected outcomes

This project will produce several clear and measurable outcomes during fiscal year 2026/27:reduced FY 2027 operating deficitby applying $897162 in federal funding the district will reduce the anticipated shortfall within the operating budget and maintain financial stability.service continuitythe funding ensures uninterrupted ferry service along key routes connecting marin and SAN francisco counties preserving public access and reliability.multimodal connectivityggf plays an integral role in the regions multimodal system. Continued service preserves connections to regional rail bus and ferry services across the BAY area.environmental and congestion benefitssustaining ferry operations helps reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips supporting climate goals reducing emissions and alleviating congestion on the golden gate bridge and regional freeways.post-pandemic ridership recoverythe project helps ensure GGF remains a trusted and viable transportation option as ridership continues to recover from pandemic-related declines.

Intended beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of this project are the passengers who rely on golden gate ferry (GGF) services for safe reliable and efficient travel between marin county and SAN francisco. These include:commutersthousands of BAY area residents depend on GGF for daily travel to and from employment centers in downtown SAN francisco. The service offers a congestion-free alternative to automobile travel across the golden gate bridge reducing stress time lost in traffic and the need for expensive parking in the city.tourists and visitorsggf also serves the tourism economy by providing scenic direct access between major attractions in SAN francisco and destinations in marin county such as sausalito. Reliable ferry operations enhance the visitor experience and support local businesses that depend on tourism.low- and moderate-income ridersthe continuation of ferry service ensures that residents who may not have access to a private vehicle or who face financial constraints continue to benefit from public transportation that connects them to jobs education health care and recreational opportunities.regional transit usersggf is an integral part of the regions interconnected transit network. Riders who transfer from smart bart caltrain muni and golden gate transit buses benefit from preserved intermodal connectivity that extends access across county lines and improves system-wide mobility.BAY area communities and the environmentby reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles the project benefits the broader public through decreased roadway congestion reduced vehicle emissions and improved air quality. These outcomes align with state and regional climate and transportation policy goals. In SUM this project will benefit a wide cross-section of the BAY area population improving mobility equity and environmental outcomes while sustaining a vital public service.