Heat wave: San Francisco Bay Ferry is offering free rides for California Clean Air Day on Wednesday

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Along with the scorching temperatures, a spare the air warning has been issued for Wednesday.

To reduce air pollution, the use of public transport was encouraged. As part of this, passengers were able to ride the ferry in San Francisco Bay for free.

A dose of natural air conditioning might be just what the doctor ordered amid a rare October heatwave.

“You don’t need air conditioning. We don’t get weather like that here,” said Paul Wilson, a Richmond resident.

Passengers aboard the Richmond ferry bound for San Francisco didn't pay a dime to enjoy the view that people travel from all over the world to see.

MORE: The Bay Area is experiencing an autumn heat wave with record temperatures

“Today it's about knowing that we all have power in our individual actions and that we can also lobby the government, and that's really a job we can do 365 days a year,” said John Gioia, a supervisor and co. in Contra Costa County – Chairman of the Bay Area Clean Air Day.

Gioia said as part of California Clean Air Day, the San Francisco Bay Ferry is offering free ferry rides on all routes all day Wednesday.

“Once you get addicted to public transportation, especially the ferry, you may find yourself using it more often or even trying it on weekends instead of heading to San Francisco for a fun day in the city,” he said.

As San Francisco warns of excessive heat for the third time this week, it also happened to fall on a Spare the Air Day.

That means people across the Bay Area are being asked to reduce air pollution by working remotely, walking, biking, carpooling or using public transportation.

TIMELINE: Record highs are expected here as the Bay Area heat wave peaks

“I think it's great that the ferry is running today, especially since we've just arrived in Indian summer. So it's a great day to be outside. I mean, look at this. “It’s a fantastic day to be out on the bay,” Wilson said.

Wilson said there was no better way to celebrate his birthday.

“I have worked for 700 months and today I turned 840 months old,” he said.

As part of California's Clean Air Day, you can now take the Clean Air Pledge and determine what you would like to do to keep the air clean. That's what's available here.