After the Shelter in Place order for six Bay Area counties was announced yesterday public transit is either operating normally as an essential service or altering their regular schedules. It is recommended that if you are over 65 or older to try to avoid public transportation unless it is essential.
Bart: According to the official website, “Bart will continue to provide regular service for riders performing essential activities and for riders traveling to and from ‘essential business’ work, with long enough trains to allow for social distancing.”
Caltrain: The Caltrain website states it will, “Operate on a reduced peak-hour schedule that goes into effect…March 17. Morning and afternoon peak hour service will no longer feature Baby Bullet Service. The updated weekday schedule is available at www.caltrain.com.”
Muni: As of March 17, “In response to a reduction in operator availability, Muni will cut most express and specialized commuter roles.” Additionally, there will be, “No changes to Muni Metro or Owl All-Nighter Service” and “Paratransit should be used for essential trips only.”
As it continues to state on their website they have cancelled the following commuter express service: NX, 1AX/BX, 7X, 14X, 30X, 31AX/BX, 38AX/BX, 41, 81X, 82X, 83X, 88 and the historic service: E. However, they will operate all cable cars and the F train along the Embarcadero only. Please visit their website for more updates.
SMART: “The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is temporarily canceling weekend train service through Sunday, April 5. At this time, there is no change to weekday train service. SMART is monitoring the situation and will make adjustments as necessary, on a day-to-day basis.”
Furthermore, “Before each train is put back in service, SMART crews:
- thoroughly clean the train restrooms including sanitizing the toilet, sink, mirror, walls and baby changing station
- refill soap dispensers and service water
- wipe down interior surfaces, including seats, seat back trays, tables, hand-rails, windows, and luggage racks
- sweep, vacuum, and mop interior floors
- empty all trash and recycle bins
And, as an extra precaution, we are installing two hand sanitizer dispensers on each train. The installation of these dispensers should be completed by early next week.”
San Francisco Bay Ferry: “From March 17 through at least April 7, 2020 [there will be] no service on the Richmond, Harbor Bay or South San Francisco ferry routes. Reduced weekday service on the Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo routes.” There will be no weekend service or Pier 41 service on any routes. Please visit their website for more temporary schedules.
VTA: The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority announced they will continue to operate bus, light rail and paratransit services. On VTA’s website they state that, “For now, VTA will only suspend school trip service and run up to two-car trains where ridership is extremely low.”