Schooners transported agricultural products from Contra Costa to San Francisco from that port, and brought back supplies for "mining districts up the river.

[9] The impetus for the reinstated ferry service continued in 2008 when the powers behind planning the project determined that there needed to be 750 "rooftops" within a half mile of the terminal site to generate significant and sustainable ridership figures.

[10] Planning meetings were held to reopen and remodel the terminal at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond's Marina Bay.

The funds were used for construction of new berths beginning in 2017[12][1] Tideline started offering a private 35 minute US$11 one-way service to the San Francisco Ferry Building from a separate pier in the Marina Bay District in 2017, but discontinued it several years later.

The ferry service was initially project to carry an estimated 400 passengers daily increasing to a peak of up to 1,800 when fully developed.

Weekend service is planned to support visitors to the adjacent Craneway Pavilion and the nearby Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

Fares are $9 one-way however if paying with a contactless Clipper card the charge is $6.75 moreover youth, seniors, and disabled passengers paid $4.50 with children 5 and under riding free as of January 4, 2019.

Melvin Willis one of Richmond's rotating vice mayors stated there should be "vigilance" regarding the project in not pricing people out nor raising rents and causing gentrification.

Betty Reid Soskin a park ranger at the national monument however stated she hoped it would be a boost for business in the area and lead to the terminal becoming the East Bay's gateway to Alcatraz.