BART Strike: System Back on Track — for Now

SEE THE SPECIAL 511 BART STRIKE PAGE

JULY 5, 2013 UPDATE:

Regular BART service will resume at 3 p.m. today, Friday, July 5, 2013. Labor contracts have been extended for 30 days while negotiations continue. See a statement from BART General Manager Grace Cruinican.

June 28, 2013 UPDATE:

Two of BART's unions have declared a strike. All BART service could stop as early as 12:01 AM Monday, July 1, 2013. Expect no BART service on Monday morning (3:50 AM).

OAKLAND, CA — With the possibility of BART trains coming to a halt as early as July 1 due to labor contracts that expire at midnight June 30, Bay Area transportation officials are urging commuters to review their contingency plans for getting to and from work. Thousands more vehicles than usual are expected to crowd onto streets, highways and bridges if there is a work stoppage at BART. Commuters are advised to avoid peak driving periods by working at home if possible (or traveling earlier or later than usual), form a carpool or try casual carpooling, or take an alternative transit service.

In the event of a disruption to BART service, other transit providers may be able to adjust their services where possible. But any such adjustments would replace only a small portion of BART’s passenger-carrying capacity.

The Bay Area’s 511 traveler information system — available 24/7 on the Web at www.511.org or on the phone by dialing 511 — provides a comprehensive, one-stop resource for evaluating travel alternatives. A special BART strike page at alert.511.org includes updates on BART’s service status, alternative transit and ridesharing options, real-time traffic and transit information, and other trip-planning tools. Commuters who are looking for casual carpool pickup locations, parking options for ridesharing or riding transit, or current traffic conditions and driving times should check the 511 Traffic page, which will feature a special section on BART strike commute options.

The popular 511 Transit Trip Planner offers the ability to plan door-to-door transit trips that include or exclude BART. In addition to the 511 Transit Trip Planner, 511.org offers a RideMatch Service to help commuters instantly find a short-term or long-term carpool match.

The 511.org website provides tips to help business owners and employers develop alternative commute options for their workers to reduce the impact of a BART service disruption. 511 Employer Services representatives can provide free consultations to help employers develop contingency plans such as tele-work or carpool support, or will refer employers to representatives in each county. To arrange a consultation, simply call 511 and say “Rideshare.”

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, and operates the region’s 511 traveler information system.

Contact:

John Goodwin: (415) 778-5262

Randy Rentschler: (415) 778-6780