NOVEMBER 2025

BRIDGE TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT RIDERSHIP UPDATE

Travel in the Golden Gate Corridor by Bridge, Bus, and Ferry remains well below pre-pandemic levels. Fortunately, travel in the Golden Gate Corridor continues to trend upward.
In October 2025, southbound Bridge traffic was 1% above October 2024 traffic, Bus ridership was 4% above October 2024, and Ferry ridership was 2% above October 2024 ridership. The District continues to add back Bus and Ferry service incrementally as we see a return of our customers travelling in the Golden Gate Corridor.
October 2025 traffic and transit ridership statistics are below:

DISTRICT APPROVES MASCOTS TRANSIT SERVICE CHANGES

At their November meeting, the District Board of Directors approved changes to Golden Gate Transit service as part of the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service Plan (MASCOTS), effective April 2026. MASCOTS is a collaborative project among nine North Bay transit and funding agencies to create a more connected, frequent transit network by redesigning service as if it were all run by one transit agency. The proposal aims to grow ridership and improve effectiveness of public transit services offered in the Highway 101 corridor by reducing duplicative service, improving connections between services, and adding service where customer demand is strongest. For Golden Gate Transit, MASCOTS service changes include more frequent bus trips between San Rafael and San Francisco, simplified commute routes in Sonoma County, and a streamlined Route 580. MASCOTS service plan changes will be implemented by all participating agencies in April 2026.
READ MORE ABOUT THE MASCOTS SERVICE CHANGES

GOLDEN GATE FERRY ORDERS TWO NEW FERRIES TO BEGIN FLEET REPLACEMENT

Golden Gate Ferry began service in the early 1970s with the original M.V. Golden Gate and three monohull vessels. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Golden Gate Ferry expanded with high-speed aluminum catamarans that serve the core Larkspur to San Francisco route. After several decades of service, many of the District's vessels are at or beyond the end of their economic service life and must be replaced in order for Golden Gate Ferry to meet updated emissions regulations.
Over the next eight years, the District will be replacing its ferry fleet with new, high speed, low-emission ferries sharing the same design specifications across all vessels. At their November meeting, the District Board of Directors approved a contract to build the first two vessels in this years-long replacement program. 
The MV Liwa-class vessel design (rendering above) is a 500 passenger high-speed catamaran expected to be in service in 2027 and represents a significant leap in efficiency and emission reduction compared to the existing fleet. The MV Liwa will bring an 80% reduction in emissions and require 30% less power due to an improved hull design while providing the same high-speed service our customers expect. In addition to the MV Liwa, the new ferry order will provide a replacement for the MV Del Norte with the same specifications of the MV Liwa. The MV Liwa and replacement for the MV Del Norte are the first two ferries of our future fleet, which will consist of seven or eight identical vessels providing a standardized experience across Golden Gate Ferry by 2033. 
READ MORE ABOUT THE FERRY FLEET REPLACEMENT

DISTRICT SUPPORTS FOOD BANKS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

This holiday season, the District is showing its support for local food banks with an internal food drive, and a group volunteer day with our staff at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in San Rafael. 
In years past, Golden Gate Transit has unveiled holiday buses that were much loved by commuters, passersby, and employees! We'll be featuring throwback pictures of the holiday buses on Golden Gate Transit's social media accounts as a reminder to all San Francisco Bay Area residents of those less fortunate in our communities. The social media posts will include links of easy ways to give in our community.
The District supports the San Francisco-Marin and Redwood Empire food banks and encourages you to help end hunger in your community by contributing to your local food bank. For information about donating to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, visit sfmfoodbank.org. For information about donating to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, visit refb.org.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD BANKS
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the November 2025 Employee of the Month:
Payroll Timekeeping Specialist in the District Division,
Sheila Haugen!
Sheila is recognized for her exceptional dedication, reliability, and performance. She consistently meets and exceeds expectations in her role, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to accuracy, teamwork, and service excellence. Sheila's coworkers share that she truly exemplifies teamwork, dedication, and excellence and that she is an outstanding example of what Employee of the Month represents!
Sheila joined the District in 2017 in her current role. Prior to joining the District, Sheila was a Fiscal Technician at Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, a non-profit, where she worked for 15 years. She was born in Canoga Park, attended high school at the Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center in Las Vegas, and furthered her education by completing a Business Skills certification at the Adult Education Center in Sacramento. Sheila has been a resident of Rohnert Park since 1998, where she lives with her husband. They have seven children and lots of grandkids, and in her spare time, Sheila enjoys reading, riding on motorcycles, going to the ocean, spending time with her family, and stargazing. 
READ MORE ABOUT SHEILA ON PAGE 13 OF THE GM'S REPORT

EMPLOYEES ON THE MOVE

(Thank you to Human Resources for providing this information.)
October New Hires:
Desirae Bally -  Part-Time Laneworker
Jillian Kwong - Accounting Specialist
Jesscia Sandoval - Senior Planner
Edvin Santos - Part-Time Laneworker
**This list does not include temporary & casual employees**
September Retirements:
Rahman Natouf - Bus Operator
Diane Watson - Bus Operator
November Service Awards:
Hector Bough - Bridge Lieutenant - 40 Years
James Cheung - Bus Operator - 25 Years
Christopher Hawkins - Bus Operator - 25 Years
Peter John Bugarin - Communications & Electronic Technician - 10 Years
James Briggs, Electrician Superintendent - 5 Years
Kin Yan, Ironworker - 5 Years
SEE ALL BOARD MEETING SUMMARIES HERE
DECEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS
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Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz 
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Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District
Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District
Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District
Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District
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