During short-term transit service disruptions, you might need to make an alternate travel plan. 511.org can help you stay informed and get you to your destination as efficiently as possible. Researching your options now means that you'll be prepared in a pinch.
Check 511.org.
Before heading out, 511.org for possible service disruption information. 511.org provides information about major train, cable car, or ferry service disruptions, and transit line, Transbay Tube, or station closures* as soon as we receive it from the appropriate agency. During a disruption, keep checking 511.org to stay informed about possible commute alternatives, temporary shuttles, and other traveler advice. You can also follow 511SFBay on X to receive real-time updates.
Use 511.org on-the-go.
Check back often to stay informed about possible commute alternatives, temporary shuttles, and other traveler advice. You can also follow 511SFBay on X to receive real-time service updates and announcements.
Call 511.
If you get to your station and find your service disrupted, you can also make an alternate trip plan by calling 511. Call 511 and say “transit agencies.” The system will ask what transit agency you want. Say the agency name, “list” to get a list of agencies, or say "city" to find transit agencies by city. If you say "city," the system will then ask “What city will you be traveling from?” Upon receiving a response, the system provides a list of available transit agencies in that city. Say the agency, and the system transfers to the transit agency menu. Say “operator” to be transferred to a live operator during call center hours; the operator will be able to assist you with making a trip plan.
Carpool.
During a transit disruption, many commuters turn to carpooling. Find your carpool partner(s) on the Bay Area Commuter Carpool Network portion of the 511.org Carpool page. You can also find the location of carpool lanes throughout the region.
Casual carpool.
Casual carpooling is different from traditional carpooling in that you don't establish your carpool partners in advance. Just show up at a casual carpool pickup site and wait for a carpool destined for a location near where you want to go. Get familiar with the pick-up and drop-off locations so that you know where to go before a transit service disruption occurs. Visit the Casual Carpool page to access Bay Area casual carpooling information.
Consider car sharing.
If you have only the occasional need for a vehicle, carsharing may be a good option for you during a transit disruption. Carsharing is a variation on the traditional car renting service, where companies or car owners rent vehicles for shorter periods of time to customers who typically only require a vehicle for local trips or errands. If you have a car, you can join a peer-to-peer carsharing organization to rent your vehicle when it is not in use. The list below includes peer-to-peer and commercial carsharing organizations from around the Bay Area:
Commercial Companies
Peer-to-Peer
Ride a bike.
Bicycling is an excellent way to get around during a transit disruption.
If you are commuting by bicycle check out the Maps & Trails section of the Biking Page to help you plan your trip.
Even if you don’t own a bike, the Bay Area BikeShare Program allows you access to bikes across the Bay Area to help you make your trip to work or home, or to make shorter trips around town.
*Note: 511.org does not report minor transit disruptions, such as short bus delays. To stay up-to-date on your bus or train’s current status, please call 511 and say “departure times.”
