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Increased Ferry Service Available For Bay Bridge Closure

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)—The Bay Bridge is closing Wednesday night and San Francisco Ferry boat operators said they are increasing service beginning first thing Thursday morning and continuing through the Labor Day weekend.

Ernest Sanchez, spokesman for San Francisco Bay Ferry told KCBS that Alameda and Oakland will have special schedules.

"We are going to increase the number of departures from Alameda Main Street and Oakland. It's going to be a combined service that's one or two boats –whatever particular segment are going to be going from San Francisco, Alameda Main Street, Oakland and than back to San Francisco—but you are going to find expanded opportunities," he said.

Increased Ferry Service Available For Bridge Closure

Sanchez said that there will be expanded weekend service as well.

"We've found that over the last few years, when there is bridge closure, there is much reduced traffic. A lot people, especially as they are coming to the end of summer, decide to go on holiday or just not to go into the city," he said.

Bay Ferry charges for parking in Vallejo but it's free at Jack London square and Alameda Main Street.

While the Larkspur Ferry Station in Marin would normally tell commuters to stay away because parking lots and boats are typically maxed out but Ron Downing, director of planning for Golden Gate Transit, told KCBS that parking should not be an issue because of the holiday weekend.

"Parking should be okay if people are staying home those particular days," he said."

That excess parking capacity is a viable option for commuters coming into Marin from the East Bay.

For more up-to-date information, check out cbssf.com/bridge.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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