The Woolwich Ferry now runs until 10pm each night after Transport for London changed its hours of service.
Boats will now run every 15 minutes between 6am and 10pm seven days a week, with sailings before 6am scrapped because of low demand. It had previously run from 5am to 9pm.
TfL said that it acted after analysing customer data which showed growing numbers of people using the ferry since it returned to a full service in May. On its busiest day last month, there were 3,897 passengers, compared with 2,736 in April.
Before May the ferry had been blighted by delays and industrial disputes, with many problems stemming from the introduction of two new vessels in 2019.
The 6am to 10pm service hours will coincide with the charging periods for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, which are due to come into force in the spring. The ferry will remain free.
TfL is also hoping a more reliable ferry will tempt passengers across the Thames to use the SL2 Superloop bus from North Woolwich, linking the area with Barking, Ilford and Walthamstow.
Darren Ellis, the ferry’s general manager, said: ” “We are delighted to further improve the timetable for the Woolwich Ferry, with passengers now able to benefit from a later running service. We recognise how important this service is, particularly to local users, and will continue to work hard to enhance the ferry’s service and long-term reliability.”