The Water Emergency Transportation Authority Board of Directors has increased the 2015-16 operating budget that will extend the added Bay Area ferry service that began earlier this month.

Those extra rides have been extended to Oct. 30, said Jen Gainza, spokesperson for the board.

Among the trips that have been extended are the 4:45 p.m. weekday trip from the Ferry Building in San Francisco to Vallejo and the 5:30 p.m. weekday trip of the 199-passenger ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building that arrives in Vallejo about 6:35 p.m.

Also extended is the 4 p.m. direct trip from San Francisco’s Pier 41 to Oakland and Alameda Main Street.

In addition, backup buses will continue to be used whenever the M/V Vallejo, the original “jet cat” ferry, is in service during the afternoon commute period. Bus back-up service also will be provided for all afternoon Ferry Building departures on weekday afternoon Giants game days, Gainza said.

“As the Bay Area economy continues to grow, traffic congestion increases, and public transportation becomes an increasingly attractive option for getting around the Bay, many transit agencies are experiencing overcrowding,” Gainza said.

San Francisco Bay Ferry system ridership has increased more than 8 percent since last year. The boats’ popularity has resulted in overcrowded boats on some peak commute-period departures, Gainza said, and that contributed to the board’s decision.

“Addressing overcrowding and trying to find creative ways to deploy the SF Bay Ferry fleet is WETA’s top priority,” said Nina Rannells, WETA executive director.

“These service enhancements are intended to maximize all available resources to maintain WETA’s commitment to customer satisfaction and service quality in the near term, while our operations team focuses on identifying and implementing long-term solutions.”

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