The Covid-19 Pandemic has greatly impacted public transit agencies and car traffic volumes. In every corner of public transit, ridership is down anywhere from 56%, (VTA buses), to 90%, (BART trains). Even traffic volume has dropped significantly, such as 51% of San Francisco traffic on March 20.
While public health officials have identified public transportation as an essential service under the region’s shelter-in-place order, the decrease in ridership has forced agencies to reduce service levels in order to stay solvent.
VTA plans to operate service that is similar to a Sunday schedule, with some modifications/exceptions. The change in service will start March 30. Details are available at:
VTA Blog: https://www.vta.org/blog/vta-offering-reduced-service-during-shelter-place-order
VTA Reduced service map:
https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/COVID19%20Reduced%20Transit%20Service%20Map
For other transit agencies information, Caltrain posted a press release that provides summaries and links to the major Bay Area transit agencies. Summaries are below but the full press release is linked here.
AC Transit:
AC Transit is committed to delivering our trusted service during the coronavirus pandemic. The latest COVID-19 updates, maps for AC Transit Bus Lines to free school lunch sites, and Trip Planning are a click away. Real time service updates and rider communication are available, weekdays, on our Twitter @rideact. To speak with a representative, Monday-Friday 6 am – 7 pm, Saturday-Sunday 9 am – 5 pm, call 510-891-4777, select option 2. We encourage AC Transit riders to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for line-specific alerts.
BART:
BART will provide continuous updates on service changes and other COVID-19 impacts at bart.gov. All service advisories are posted on the homepage, our advisory page, on the Official BART App and on Twitter at @SFBARTalert. Sign up for News Alerts sent by email or text. Phone operators are available at (510) 464-6000 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
Caltrain:
Caltrain will provide continuous service change updates on our dedicated web page. Service information and real-time updates are also available on our Twitter account @Caltrain. Our Customer Service call center will also remain staffed during regular business hours (Weekdays from 7 AM to 7 PM; Weekends/Holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM) and can be reached by phone at (800) 660-4287.
Contra Costa County Connection:
County Connection will continue to post pertinent information in response to the emergency on our website. Our Customer Service call center will also remain staffed during regular hours (Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM) and can be reached by phone at (925) 676-7500 or email at help@countyconnection.com.
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District:
Golden Gate Transit and Ferry will provide continuous updates on service changes on our website and social media. Service information and real-time updates are available on our Twitter accounts, @GoldenGateBus and @GoldenGateFerry, and via Transit app seven days a week. Trip planning assistance is available on our website homepage, by calling 511, and through our Customer Service Center.
SFMTA/Muni:
SFMTA will provide continuous updates on service changes and parking enforcement policy on our webpage. Service information and real-time communications is offered on our Twitter @SFMTA_Muni, seven days a week. SF311 is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone, web, mobile, and Twitter for information on Muni and City and County of San Francisco services at this time.
SamTrans:
SamTrans will continue to post pertinent information in response to COVID-19 on its website, as well as its social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Our Customer Service call center will also remain staffed during regular business hours (Weekdays from 7 AM to 7 PM; Weekends/Holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM) and can be reached by phone at (800) 660-4287.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA):
VTA has an online COVID-19 Information Center (www.vta.org/covid-19) for service. Updates are also shared on Twitter: @VTA. Customers can view and subscribe to alerts on the Transit app. Customer Service representatives are available at (408) 321-2300, and customer.service@vta.org weekdays: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.