FINAL UPDATE: Delay at Jackson and Mason has cleared. OB Hyde and Mason Cable Car lines resuming service. (More: 17 in last 48 hours)

SFMTA Preparing Transit, Traffic and Parking Resources for Potential BART Strike

Casual Carpool Map BART Strike Oct. 2013.pdf

Transit Fact Sheet and Muni Tips with Map - English.pdf

Transit Fact Sheet and Muni Tips with Map - Chinese.pdf

Transit Fact Sheet and Muni Tips with Map - Spanish.pdf

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which manages transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), has developed a contingency plan in the event of a strike by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). Should a strike occur, public transit customers who normally travel daily into San Francisco could be seeking other means of getting to their destinations. The plan aims to provide SFMTA services, such as two expanded casual carpool locations, for those displaced by a strike and endeavors to avoid or minimize gridlock.

This plan is designed for swift activation to ensure the safe and efficient movement of displaced commuters utilizing various modes of transportation to connect them with Caltrain, SamTrans, AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit and ferry services. Delays and congestion are anticipated.

Additional details will be posted at 511.org as they become available. A special BART strike page at alert.511.org includes updates on BART’s service status, alternative transit and ridesharing options, including regional organized carpool and vanpool, real-time traffic and transit information, and other trip-planning tools. BART information can be found at www.bart.gov. Commuters should check back regularly for updates. For real-time Muni updates during the week, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and special events, follow us on www.twitter.com/sfmta_muni or visit www.nextmuni.com/myNextBus to sign up for real-time text messages or email alerts.

Casual Carpooling

As of September 23, the established casual carpool pick-up zone has been relocated to the west side of Spear Street just north of Folsom Street. If BART goes on strike, this zone will be expanded to both sides of Spear Street between Howard and Folsom streets. The attached map shows the morning drop-off locations, the evening pick-up locations and the route from the pick-up locations to the Bay Bridge carpool lane.

Casual Carpooling, 3 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

  • Carpooling Departure Points on the east side of Spear Street between Howard and Folsom streets to the following locations:
    • Alameda
    • West Oakland BART
    • Lake Merritt BART
    • Fruitvale BART
    • Coliseum BART
    • Albany
    • Emeryville
    • Piedmont
    • San Leandro BART
    • Bayfair BART
    • Castro Valley BART
    • West Dublin BART
    • Dublin BART
    • Hayward BART
    • South Hayward BART
    • Union City BART
    • Fremont BART
  • Carpooling Departure Points on the west side of Spear Street between Howard and Folsom streets to the following locations:
    • MacArthur BART
    • Rockridge BART
    • Ashby BART
    • El Cerrito Plaza BART
    • North Concord BART
    • Pittsburg BART
    • Hercules
    • Richmond Parkway
    • Richmond BART
    • Fairfield/Suisun
    • North Berkeley BART
    • Del Norte BART
    • Orinda BART
    • Lafayette BART
    • Walnut Creek BART
    • Pleasant Hill BART
    • Concord BART
    • Oakland Claremont
    • Vallejo
    • Lakeshore/Grand

BART Charter Bus Service

The map also shows the drop-off point for BART charter buses on the east side of Fremont Street just south of Howard Street and the BART charter bus pick-up location on the south side of Howard Street between Fremont and Beale streets. More information on this service is available at www.bart.gov.

Muni

To keep major BART corridor service fully staffed, the SFMTA will prioritize Muni service along the following bus routes and rail lines during peak hours:

  • 14 Mission, 14L Mission Limited, and 14X Mission Express
  • J Church (to and from Balboa Park/Geneva)
  • N Judah (to and from Caltrain at 4th and King streets)

Transit Fare Inspectors may be deployed to assist customers in Muni Metro stations.

Information regarding the impact of a BART strike on paratransit services can be found at www.sfparatransit.com.

Downtown Off-street Parking:

The SFMTA will implement measures designed to alleviate traffic congestion and to assist travelers. Approximately 4,000 off-street parking spaces are expected to be available in downtown garages. Off-street parking staff will provide garage managers with additional outreach materials. For more information about specific garages or lots, visit sfmta.com.

Visit www.sfpark.org or download the application to find real-time information about available on and off-street parking spaces and rates in SFpark pilot areas.

Parking Control Officers and SFPD Officers will be deployed at key intersections to keep traffic moving.

Taxi Service

In the morning, taxi stands will be at key transfer points:

  • Temporary Transbay Terminal, on both sides of Folsom Street in front of the Greyhound bus office
  • Folsom Street, between Main and Spear streets
  • The Embarcadero at the south end of the Ferry Building in the white passenger loading zone, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • Parking lot behind the Ferry Building, Tuesday and Thursday
  • 4th and King Caltrain Station on Townsend at 4th Street

Evening taxi stands are at downtown hotels. A map of the hotel stands is available on sfmta.com.

Biking or Walking

In addition to transit, carpooling and parking, the SFMTA recommends that commuters consider bicycling and walking when these options are viable. If you plan to use a bicycle for your commute, a map of bicycle routes is available on sfmta.com.

Other options include flexible work hours to avoid the peak commuting periods, telecommuting and taking vacation.