Transit boosted for Giants parade

If you’re among the thousands of Bay Area residents planning to attend the Giants World Series parade on Wednesday, you’ll be happy to hear extra public transit will be in effect.

Golden Gate Ferry officials announced they plan to run more boats to shuttle Marin residents into The City by adding ferries from Larkspur and Sausalito.

Jim Swindler, head of the Golden Gate Ferry told the Marin IJ:

“We are not concerned about capacity, we will have enough boats. What we do want people to do is get their round-trip tickets ahead of time.”

Everyone should be sure to make transportation plans in advance for the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. at the foot of Market Street and ends at San Francisco’s Civic Center.

Ferry riders will be dropped off at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal, a few hundred feet from the parade starting point. The ferries will board on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the past is any indication, lines may become as long as they did in 2010 after the Giants’ breakthrough World Series win.

The good news is — unlike 2010 — the ferries now have ticket vending machines for passengers. Tickets can be purchased from machines at the Larkspur, Sausalito, and San Francisco ferry terminals. You can also use your Clipper Card to get discounted fares.

Officials also expect increased traffic on city buses, BART, and Bay Area bridges. BART is planning to run as many trains as possible at full capacity throughout the day. In 2010, BART ridership set a record for the Giants parade.

Market Street will be closed between First and Tenth Streets starting Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. for the Giants’ ticker-tape parade, city officials said Tuesday.

Crowds are expected to begin lining up well before the parade starts at 11 a.m.

Both Market and Mission street will be closed to traffic and cross traffic between The Embarcadero and Ninth Street from 9:30 a.m. until as late at 5 p.m.

This will also result in Muni lines being impacted, including the 38 Geary, 5 Fulton, 10 Townsend, 14 Mission and F Market/Wharves.

Muni spokesman Paul Rose said in a statement:

“Motorists and transit riders should allow extra travel time as delays or detours are expected on Muni routes.”

Be sure to check back tomorrow for SFBay’s full coverage of the Giants World Series parade.