Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Commuters Urged to Plan Ahead in Event of BART Strike

CONTACT:

Randy Rentschler, MTC
510.817.5780

Carol Kuester, MTC
510.817.5853

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 22, 2001 . . . With the possibility that one of BART's unions may strike against the agency tonight at midnight, Bay Area transportation officials are encouraging commuters to review their contingency plans for getting to and from work.

In the event of a strike, all indications are that BART will strive to run a normal schedule, but there may be fewer trains. Additionally, transit agencies will adjust their services where possible. Commuters should visit www.transitinfo.org, or call the Bay Area Transportation Information number at 817-1717 (press 3) for the most up-to-date information on alternative transit and carpooling options. The information number does not require an area code from anywhere in the Bay Region.

The table below provides information on what other Bay Area transportation agencies are planning should BART trains not be running on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The information is grouped to show carpooling options, public transit options, and what to consider should you have to drive.

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, and operates the region's transit information Web page and transportation information phone number.

(Note to Media: This matrix of information will be posted on <www.transitinfo.org> and updated as further information is available.)

If you want to carpool:
Agency	Phone	Service
RIDES for Bay Area Commuters Media contact: Julia Maglione 510/273-2088	817-1717, #3 If call volume significantly increases, phone lines will be staffed extended hours on Monday, October 22 until 9 p.m.	Commuters can be matched over the phone with carpool partners and vanpools, get referrals to transit agencies and general information on biking, walking and telecommuting. All services are personalized and free.
Solano Commuter Information Media contact: Elizabeth Richards 707/432-1996 707/470-3391 (pager)	817-1717 or 1-800-53-KMUTE (56883) If call volume significantly increases, phone lines will be staffed extended hours.	Solano County and Napa County commuters can be matched over the phone with carpool partners and vanpools, and get specific information on Solano and Napa county transit. All services by Solano Commuter Information are personalized and free.
Casual Carpooling		The following Website has info on casual carpool stops: http://www. environmental defense.org/programs/ Transportation/ carpoolnews.htm
Casual Carpooling in SF Media contact: Jerry Robbins, SF Dept. of Parking and Traffic 415/554-2343 415/554-2352 (fax) e-mail: jerry_robbins@ci.sf.ca.us		A casual carpooling pick-up zone is on the east side of Beale Street between Howard and Folsom streets. There are signs that indicate where people should stand to catch a ride to the following East Bay destinations: Vallejo/Fairfield, Suisun Richmond Parkway/Hercules North Berkeley/Del Norte Orinda/Lafayette Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill/ Concord Oakland – Claremont Avenue Oakland - Lakeshore/Grand
Caltrans (State Department of Transportation) Media Contacts: Jeff Weiss 510/286-5543 Colin Jones 510/286-5776	817-1717	Park & Ride Lots: Some capacity exists in Park & Ride lots on or near several BART corridors. I-80 corridor: Hwy. 4 interchange in Pinole (lot on Willow Ave., north of exit) Hilltop interchange (lot on northeast side of interchange) Berkeley (lot at 7th & Folger) I-580 corridor: North Livermore (lot 1/2 mile south of I-580 on Portola near Alviso) Castro Valley (lot on Center Street, off Crow Canyon Rd. exit). Hwys 1 &. 92 in San Mateo (lot is under interchange).
If you want a transit alternative :
Agency	Phone	Service
BART Media contact: Mike Healy 510/464-7110	817-1717 or 510/464-6000 6am – 12 midnight	The BART system will strive to maintain its schedule in the event of a strike, but fewer trains may be running.
Capitol Corridor & San Joaquin Corridor Trains Media Contacts: Business Hours: Vernae Graham 510/238-4360 After Hours: Karina VanZeen: 1-800-683-4114	1-800-USA –RAIL (1.800.872.7245) www.amtrak.com	Amtrak train stations near BART corridors; with connecting bus services: o Suisun–Fairfield Station (Route 12) parking free. Served by Capitol Corridor trains, Solano County Transit. o Martinez Station (I-680, Marina Vista exit) parking free. Served by Capitol Corridor & San Joaquin trains; WestCAT local buses & Amtrak California buses. o Antioch Station (Rte 4, Lone Tree Way exit) pay parking. Served by San Joaquin trains, County Connection buses. o Richmond Station (I-580 exit at South 23rd St. to BART Richmond Station) parking free. Served by Capitol Corridor & San Joaquin trains, and AC Transit buses. o Berkeley Station (I-80, exit at University, east to Spanger's) pay parking. Served by Capitol Corridor trains and AC Transit buses. o Emeryville (I-80, exit Powell Street) parking free, but limited. Served by Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains; AC Transit; Emery-Go- Round local shuttle; Amtrak buses to downtown San Francisco and SFO Airport, and the Caltrain Station at 4th & Townsend. o Oakland Station, at Jack London Square (I-80, I-980 exit Jackson St. or Oakland Embarcadero) limited pay parking, Served by Capitol Corridor & San Joaquin trains, AC Transit, Amtrak buses, ferries to downtown San Francisco. o Hayward Station (I-880, exit "A" Street to Meekland Ave.) parking free. Served by Capitol Corridor trains, AC Transit buses. o Fremont-Centerville Station (I-880, exit Mowry Ave.-East), limited free parking. Served by Capitol Corridor & ACE trains, AC Transit, VTA express & Amtrak buses. o Great America Station (I-237 exit Lafayette St.) limited parking. Served by local ACE, VTA, Amtrak shuttles to employment centers, VTA light-rail line. o San Jose Diridon Station (I-280 exit South Autumn St.) pay parking. Served by Capitol Corridor, ACE, Caltrain. Local VTA & Amtrak buses, free VTA downtown shuttle.
AC Transit Media contact: Jaime Levin 510/891-7244 or Jim Gleich 510/891-7185	817-1717 The hearing impaired, using TDD only, may dial 1-800-448-9790.	AC Transit's current network of 36 weekday commute-hour transbay routes will continue with regular schedules, augmented to the extent resources permit. These routes, connecting East Bay communities with the Transbay Terminal in downtown SF include: Line LA — Richmond Parkway Park 'n' Ride Lines L and L Expresses — Richmond Line F — North Oakland/Berkeley Line C — Piedmont Lines N/NL (local and expresses)— Oakland/ San Leandro Line O—Alameda/ Downtown Oakland Line RCV — Castro Valley Line S/SA — Hayward Line SB — Fremont/ Newark Line A — SF/Oakland, from 12am-6am; connect with Line 58 to airport Additionally, buses on local East Bay Lines 58, 59 and 72 connect with transbay ferries at Jack London Square. Local bus lines also serve ferries in west Alameda and Bay Farm Island.
Dumbarton Bridge Transbay Service Media contact: Jaime Levin 510/891-7244 or Jim Gleich 510/891-7185	817-1717 or 510/441-7572	Dumbarton Bridge Transbay service will operate under its normal schedule. Bus stops at the Union City BART station will be relocated on Union Square, as coordinated with AC Transit and Union City Transit.
Alameda/Oakland Ferry and Alameda/Harbor Bay Ferry Media contact: Ernest Sanchez 510/627-1492	817-1717 For schedule information call the 24-hour FerryFone: Alameda/Oakland 510/522-3300 Alameda Harbor Bay 510/769-5500	In the event of a BART strike, an additional boat will allow for additional service between the San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Oakland's Jack London Square (at the base of Clay Street, near the intersection of Clay and the Embarcadero) and the Alameda terminal at 2990 Main Street (near the Alameda Naval Air Station). Effective first day of the strike. For schedule information, see phone numbers at left. Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry will begin service between Alameda and S.F. Ferry Terminal on first day of strike. Hourly departures from Alameda from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 4 pm to 8 pm. Hourly departures from SF Ferry Terminal to Alameda from 6 am to 9 am and from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Caltrain Media contact: Jayme Maltbie 650/508-6238 650/627-0341 (pager)	817-1717 or 1-800-660-4287 The hearing impaired, using TDD only, may dial 1-650-508-6448.	Caltrain has limited additional capacity during commute hours and will add cars to key trains, as resources permit.
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) Media contact: Mary Burdick 925/676-1976	817-1717 or 925/676-7500 The hearing impaired, using TDD only, may dial 1-800-735-2929.	o County Connection will maintain its current service within central Contra Costa County. Bus stops at BART stations will be relocated to perimeter streets around the station. Service to the North Concord BART station may not take place since it is unsafe to stop on Port Chicago Highway. o The Transportation Center at the Walnut Creek BART station is closed for the duration of the BART strike. Customer Service telephone staff will be available from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Golden Gate Transit Media contact: Mary Currie 415/257-4548	817-1717 or 415/923-2000 or 415/455-2000	o Bus stops for Golden Gate Transit's Route 40, which runs from the San Rafael Transit Center to the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station, will be relocated to perimeter streets around the El Cerrito Del Norte station. There is existing capacity on this route, which connects the East Bay with Marin County. o Golden Gate ferries leave from Larkspur to San Francisco at 6:05 am, 6:45 am, 7:20 am, 7:30 am, 8:10 am and 8:35 am. Afternoon/ evening departures from San Francisco to Larkspur are at 3:05 p.m., 3:35 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. o To reach Larkspur Ferry Terminal from East Bay by car, drive across Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Exit, proceed to Terminal about one mile on left. Parking is free, but very limited. Alternately, use GGT Route 40 to San Rafael Transit Center and transfer to Route 25 or Route 29 shuttle buses to Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Shuttle service is available throughout the day. GGT buses and ferries carry bicycles (limit of 2 on exterior bus racks).
Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS) Media contact: Merrie DuFrene 925/455-7562	817-1717 or 925/455-7500	WHEELS will continue regular local service in the TriValley area. In the event that BART is offering limited or total service while the strike is in progress, all WHEELS buses normally serving the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station will stop on Willow Road and Owens Drive in Pleasanton, enabling riders to meet connections to other WHEELS buses. In the event that BART service is completely interrupted: o All buses normally serving the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station will stop on Willow Rd. and Owens Dr. in Pleasanton. o WHEELS will run limited bus service from Stoneridge Mall Road and Embarcadero in Pleasanton to 2nd and Mission in San Francisco. Buses will depart at 5:30 AM, 3 PM and 6:30 PM. The return trips from San Francisco will be at 6:45 AM, 4:30 PM and 7:45 PM. Fare for this service is $4 each way. Arrival times are subject to change due to traffic conditions.
San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) Media contact: Maggie Lynch 415/554-4128	1-415-673-MUNI or 817-1717 The hearing impaired, using TDD, may dial 1-415-923-6366.	In the event of a BART strike, MUNI will attempt to alleviate overcrowding on regular MUNI lines by providing extra coaches on certain routes as follows: [MUNI will implement this plan to the extent allowed by available resources.] MC 14X-Freeway Express Additional 14X coaches will be in service during the AM and PM peaks between MUNI's regular Daly City Terminal at Mission & San Jose streets and the Ferry Terminal MC 38L-Geary Limited Additional 38L coaches will be in service during the AM and PM peaks and operate between the Transbay Terminal and Geary & Van Ness avenues. MC F-Market Additional F Market coaches will be in service during the AM and PM peaks from the Ferry Terminal to Market & Van Ness Metro Service Additional Muni Metro service will operate between Caltrain and West Portal Route Modifications To avoid crossing any picket lines at the Daly City BART station, bus lines that stop at the station may be rerouted at the station.
San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) Media contact: Jayme Maltbie 650/508-6238 650/627-0341 (pager)	817-1717 or 1-800-660-4287 The hearing impaired, using TDD only, may dial 1-650-508-6448.	o SamTrans will establish a temporary transit center in Daly City at Mission and Crocker streets (northbound) and Mission near Goethe streets (southbound) to provide connections to bus service that has destinations similar to BART service from Daly City and Colma. o A special weekday shuttle will operate from the Colma Park & Ride lot to DeLong Street in Daly City to the temporary transit center on Mission Street described above. Shuttle hours from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. o Routes normally serving the Daly City BART Station will not stop at the Daly City BART station and will instead serve a temporary bus stop on DeLong Street, which is across from the BART station. o Routes normally serving the Colma BART Station [BX, CX, 112, 120, 121, 122, 130, 131, 133 and 391] will not stop at the Colma BART station and will instead serve a temporary bus stop at the Colma Park & Ride lot, located behind the station at D Street and Junipero Serra Blvd. However, Route 391 will not divert to the Colma Park & Ride lot but will continue service along El Camino Real.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Media contact: 408/ 321-2345 John Pilger, Lupe Solis, Ethan Winston or Grace Lynch	817-1717 or 1-800-894-9908 or 408/ 321-2300 Teleprinter for the hearing impaired 1-408-321-2330.	VTA will reroute its four Express Buses that go to the Fremont BART station. The buses will pick-up and drop off passengers on Walnut Avenue, just outside the BART parking lot. This affects the following VTA Bus Lines: 140 (Fremont BART Station - Sunnyvale Caltrain Station) 180 (San Jose Diridon Station - Fremont BART Station) 520 (Fremont BART Station - Shoreline Industrial Park) 141 (Fremont BART Station - Great America) This bus runs only on weekends
Union City Transit Media contact: Judith Harrison 510/471-3232 ext. 307 Wilson Lee 510/471-3232 ext. 409	817-1717 or 510/471-1411	Union City Transit Service will operate under its normal schedule. Bus stops at the Union City BART station will be relocated on Union Square, as coordinated with AC Transit and the Dumbarton Bridge Transbay service.
Vallejo Transit Media contact: Mark Mazzaferro 707/649-5462 707/310-0326 (cell)	817-1717 or 1-800-640-BUSS Teleprinter for the hearing impaired 1-707-649-5421.	Vallejo Transit bus service will operate under its normal schedule. Bus stops at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station will be relocated along San Pablo Avenue as coordinated with AC Transit. Passengers transferring between Vallejo Transit and AC Transit's East Bay and transbay routes should be aware that AC Transit's routes may be extremely crowded.
Vallejo Baylink Ferry Media contact: Mark Mazzaferro 707/649-5462 707/310-0326 (cell)	817-1717 or 1-707-64-FERRY or 1-415-705-5555	o Vallejo Baylink Ferry will operate under its normal schedule, with morning departures from the Vallejo terminal to San Francisco at 6 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. o From the San Francisco Ferry Building to Vallejo, evening departures are: 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. The Vallejo Ferry Terminal is on Mare Island Way. Current ferries operate at close to capacity with very few additional seats available. Riders are encouraged to arrive early. The U.S. Coast Guard does not allow Baylink to exceed each boat's rated capacity.
If you have to drive:
Caltrans (State Department of Transportation) Media Contact: Jeff Weiss: 510/286-5543 Colin Jones 510/286-5776	817-1717	Bay Bridge Toll Booths: Additional toll takers will be available between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., depending on traffic demands. All 20 lanes will be staffed by 5 a.m. San Mateo Bridge: FasTrak, electronic toll collection, is available on all toll booths.
Freeway Service Patrol Media contact: Réka Goode, MTC 510/464-7706	817-1717	The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Bay Area Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is extending the hours of tow-truck service patrols and adding patrols on 15 beats on the Bay Area freeways most affected by the BART strike. The patrols will begin at 5 am until 10 am.

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