Parking restrictions to go into effect near Alameda Ferry Terminal

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- A heads up for commuters, big parking changes are coming for people who use the Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal.

Today is the last day commuters on the Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry can park on neighborhood streets. Starting tomorrow drivers will need a permit. There are 250 spaces available at the terminal parking lot, but that's not enough to meet demand; on weekdays about 100 cars park on nearby streets.

Local neighborhoods approved a new permit parking program that starts tomorrow. Cars will be allowed to park for up to four hours, unless you have a permit. That means someone taking the ferry to work and returning at night could come back to find an expensive ticket tacked to their windshield.

Ferry officials want to emphasize that there are four other ways to get to the ferry, you can take a free bus AC Transit line 21, you can also bike, walk or get dropped off. Still, you can expect drivers will be arriving early to score one of the available spots in the lot.