FAQs

The 511 service is an automated system and does not have an operator. Please be advised that pressing "0" on the system will not connect you to an operator. 

However, if you’d like to speak to a live operator from a specific agency, you can call 511 and ask for "Transit Agencies" and select the appropriate agency. Once you select the agency you want, you can choose to be transferred to that agency from the list of options. For example, saying "Operator" at the AC Transit menu will result in a transfer to an AC Transit operator who can assist you with AC Transit schedules and trip planning. 

The best way to give feedback is to use the feedback form. An alternate way to give feedback is to press *7 at any time during your call, and the 511 system will prompt you to leave a recorded message. We also periodically offer phone surveys in the system to get feedback from the public.

Yes. 511 does not charge for any features on the 511 phone service or 511.org. However, depending on your mobile phone plan, your carrier may apply standard usage charges. Most current wireless plans include local and nationwide calls, so calling 511 typically won’t cost you anything extra, but it’s always a good idea to check with your provider if you're unsure.

Using the Freeway Assist program, drivers on Bay Area freeways with a non-emergency situation (such as a flat tire, stalled car, or running out of gas) can dial 511 on their cell phones. Once connected, they should say “Freeway Assist.” The call will be transferred to the current call answering center that answers roadside call boxes, which will then determine the location of the motorist and provide appropriate roadside assistance services. Learn more about 511 Freeway Assist.

Callers who are hard of hearing can dial 711 and access the same 511 transportation information. 711 is the national three-digit number for access to Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS). Callers dial 711 and ask the operator to connect them to the 511 service. Once connected, the 711 operator acts as a go-between, relaying callers' requests for travel information to the 511 system and then providing system responses back to the callers.

Speech-impaired callers can use the touch-tone back-up system to access all of the 511 transportation information. To use touch-tone selections just press "*8" at the beginning of your call. The system will list the menu options with a corresponding number. You simply press the number that matches your choice. Once you've learned the touch-tones, there is no need to press *8 to hear the list of choices; just enter your selection. The number to enter will correspond to the order that the menu options are presented. For example, if you are at the Main Menu and want to use 511 Driving Times®, you will hear it listed as the third item. Therefore, by pressing 3 you will gain access to 511 Driving Times®. The only time this will not work is where we have long lists such as with transit and paratransit agencies or a list of cities in Traffic Conditions. These lists begin at 10 as opposed to one. Consequently, to access AC Transit (the first item in the long list) in Transit Agencies, press 10. View a complete list of touch-tone options here.

The system may be experiencing an unusually high volume of calls when you call, so the best advice is simply to call back. We are monitoring call volumes, and if we need to increase system capacity, we will do so.

There are three main reasons why you might not reach the 511 Phone System when dialing it:        

1. Your telephone company currently does not provide access to 511. MTC has diligently worked on providing 511 on all local phone services. If you can't connect to 511 with your provider, you can alternatively dial 888-500-INFO (888-500-4636) toll free. 

   If your telephone provider does not support 511, please call or write your vendor and ask when they will be implementing 511. Additionally, please contact us with the name of your vendor so we can become aware of your situation and offer support, if possible.    

2. You are calling from a centralized phone system such as a Private Business Exchange (PBX). PBXs are systems that allow for four-digit calling within your business. MTC wants to ensure that you and your colleagues will enjoy access to 511. Therefore, you may need to take a few simple steps to program your PBX to allow for 511 calling. If you need assistance with any programming questions, please call your PBX vendor.   
3. You are calling from outside the nine-county Bay Area, which includes Alameda and Contra Costa in the East Bay; Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma in the North Bay; San Francisco and San Mateo on the Peninsula; and Santa Clara County. If you are calling from outside of these counties, you can still reach 511 by dialing 888-500-INFO (888-500-4636) toll free.

You can call (888) 500-4636 to access the same traveler information as you would by calling 511.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 (available 24 hours a day, toll-free). According to the California Highway Patrol, an emergency includes reporting an accident, a crime, or an unsafe driver. Be sure to provide your name, as exact a location as possible, and a description of the situation—including cars, license plates, persons, or injuries—as needed.

The driving times posted on the dozens of changeable message signs around the Bay Area come from GPS probe vehicle traffic data that 511 purchases from HERE, Inc. 511 calculates average driving times for each of the three destinations on each sign, updating every two minutes. The destinations are chosen to reflect heavily traveled routes. You can also get these and other driving times by calling 511 and saying "Driving Times®.”   

The 511 program is administered by MTC, with CHP providing incident information and Caltrans operating the signs.

Call 511 and say “Driving Times.” When prompted for a starting or ending point within 511 Driving Times®, you can request a city, bridge, or hotspot. A hotspot is a location that generates or experiences a high volume of traffic, such as the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza or San Francisco International Airport. 

For some cities with multiple freeways within their jurisdictions, we've provided "refined points" to help you better define your starting and ending points. This means instead of saying the city name, you can say the refined point name directly and skip a step in the menu. For example, when the system asks for a starting point, you may say, "880 at 98th Street" instead of simply saying "Oakland."     

View a complete list of everything you can say as a 511 Driving Times® origin or destination. 
 

• I-80 and 4th Street
• I-280 and 6th Street
• Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza
• I-280 and Highway 1

• U.S. 101 and I-880
• I-280 and I-680
• U.S. 101 and Hwy 85
• Hwy 17 and I-280
• CA-87 and CA-85

• I-880 and I-980
• 98th Ave. and I-880
• Hwy 13 and I-580
• Hwy 13 and Hwy 24

• Mission Blvd and I-880
• Mission Blvd and I-680
• Hwy 84 and I-880

• US-101 and Broadway
• I-280 and Trousdale Rd

• Hwy 92 and I-880
• Hwy 238 and I-580

• Hwy 237 and I-880
• I-680 and E. Calaveras Blvd.

• Moffett Field
• Hwy 85 and Hwy 237
• I-280 and El Monte Road

• U.S. 101 and Whipple Ave.
• I-280 and Hwy 84

• I-80 and Cutting Blvd.
• I-80 and Richmond Parkway
• Richmond Bridge Toll Plaza

• I-880 and Davis Street
• I-80 and Richmond Parkway
• I-580 and Estudillo Ave.

• U.S. 101 and Hwy 92
• I-280 and Hwy 92

• U.S. 101 and Montague Expressway
• I-280 and Stevens Creek Blvd.

• U.S. 101 and Lawrence Expressway
• U.S. 101 and Hwy 237
• I-280 and Hwy 85

• I-205 and Tracy Blvd
• I-205 and W 11th St

• Bay Bridge - Oakland side
• Bay Bridge - San Francisco side

• Benicia Bridge - Benicia side
• Benicia Bridge - Martinez side

• Caldecott Tunnel-Orinda side
• Caldecott Tunnel-Oakland side

• Carquinez Bridge - Vallejo side
• Carquinez Bridge - Crockett side

• Dumbarton Bridge - Fremont side
• Dumbarton Bridge - Menlo Park side

• Golden Gate Bridge - Marin side
• Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco side

• Richmond San Rafael Bridge - Richmond side
• Richmond San Rafael Bridge - San Rafael side

• San Mateo Bridge - Hayward side
• San Mateo Bridge - San Mateo side

You can call 511 and say "Traffic Conditions" to get real-time information on incidents, construction announcements and slowdowns. View a list of the highways, bridges, cities, and hotspots that you can say when using the Traffic Conditions shortcut in the 511 phone service. Please note that if you want to refine your search to a specific direction on a highway, you can say, for example, "I-80 East" or "U.S. 101 North."

There are two ways to refine your requests for traffic condition information. First, add your travel direction to your request. For example, instead of saying, "Interstate 80," say, "Interstate 80 West." This lets you hear only the incidents that affect traffic heading west on Interstate 80. You can also request information for a particular city in Traffic Conditions.         

The second way to get more narrowly tailored information is to use 511 Driving Times®. For example, if your trip is from San Francisco to San Jose, you will only hear traffic incidents for the section of U.S. 101 between the two cities. You will not hear incident information on U.S. 101 north of San Francisco or south of San Jose.

In areas with speed information, only incidents where the traffic is moving less than 40 miles per hour are included in the phone service. 511 receives the majority of its incident information from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Because of direct links to the CHP system, incidents are typically reported on 511 almost as soon as they are logged.

If an incident wasn't on 511, it could be because you called before CHP had a chance to report it, it was never reported to the CHP system, or traffic wasn’t significantly impacted (i.e., speeds remained above 40 miles per hour).

Regardless, 511 continues to work closely with CHP to ensure that all incidents are reported to the system in a timely manner.

511 includes more than 40 public transportation agencies, including eight out-of-region agencies with routes connecting to Bay Area cities. View a list of agencies you can request in the Public Transportation Agency menu when you call 511.

To get real-time transit departure information, call 511 and say "Departure Times" at the main menu. You will then be asked to enter your Stop ID. If you don’t know your Stop ID when calling, you can say your agency and route, and you will be prompted to use 511's backup help system to hear your departure times and learn your Stop ID number.

Visit the Transit Departures FAQ page for more information.

If you need transit information after hours, you can always go to 511.org and use the “Transit” feature on our interactive map or visit our comprehensive list of agencies, which includes links to each agency’s website.

It's possible that the 511 system may have misunderstood your selection. The best solution is to call 511 back. It's a free call, and it will only take seconds to make your selection again. If you select an agency and hear the system read back a different agency name, then before you are transferred out of 511, say "Stop," "Go Back," or Press *9 to stop the transfer and make your choice again.

From the Transit Agencies menu (accessed by saying, "Transit Agencies" or "Paratransit" from the Main Menu or the Public Transportation menu), say "List" for a list of all agencies. You can also search by city by saying "Cities." The system will respond with, "What city will you be traveling from?" Provide the city name, and 511 will give you a list of transit agencies that serve that city. Select the agency you want, and the system will take you to that agency's menu to choose from the available options. If you do not select an option, the system will automatically provide you with the most-used agency in the city you requested.

On our Phone Shortcuts page, you can also view the full lists of transit and paratransit agencies that you can say when calling 511.

If you ever need help during your call, just say "Help" or "What are my choices?" at any time to hear your options for the current menu. To return to a previous menu, say "Go back." To start over, say "Main Menu.”

The regional eligibility process may vary slightly by operator, so you should call your local transit agency (dial 511 for a free transfer) to find out more information. In general, the process includes the following steps:        

1. Call your transit agency to request the application form.  
2. Read and completely fill out the form, which requires authorization to contact your doctor or medical professional.  
3. Submit the information to your transit agency at the address provided.  
4. After reviewing your application, agency staff may:      
   • Contact you on the phone to discuss how your disability prevents you from using public transportation  
   • Ask you to send additional information  
   • Contact a health professional to get more information  
   • Invite you for an in-person evaluation of your ability to ride public transportation.          
5. An in-person evaluation could involve a discussion with a trained professional of the reasons why you cannot use public transportation. Or, you might be asked to try out a number of actions that would be needed when using a bus or train. You may bring somebody with you to the evaluation, and you may also bring additional documentation, but these are not required.  
6. Within 21 days after your completed application form has been received or you have completed the in-person evaluation, the transit agency will send you a letter regarding your eligibility status. If you do not receive this letter within 21 days, you will be given temporary eligibility allowing you to use paratransit until the agency makes a final determination.  
7. If your eligibility application for ADA paratransit service is approved, you will receive a brochure with more information about paratransit, including information about reserving a ride.        

All printed eligibility materials are available in Braille, audiotape cassette, large print and/or electronic format. TTY numbers are available through each transit agency, and other assistance to people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be provided upon request.

ADA paratransit service is a "safety net" for people who, due to their disability, are unable to ride regular buses and trains some or all of the time. ADA paratransit is a parallel service to fixed-route transportation services (buses and trains). This means paratransit services operate in the same area, on the same days, and during the same hours as the public transit operates.    

Paratransit service may be provided on small buses, vans, taxis, or in sedans. It is generally a shared ride service that must be reserved at least one day in advance. The service picks you up at your door or at the curb and takes you to your destination. The vehicle may make several stops on the way to your destination to pick up or drop off other passengers. The pickup time you are assigned may vary by up to one hour from the time you requested. Paratransit drivers do not enter people's homes or their destination locations. Riders who need extra assistance beyond what the driver provides may bring an assistant or attendant with them at no additional charge.    

Before using paratransit, a person must be determined eligible because his or her disability prevents use of regular buses or trains, some or all of the time.

To use ADA paratransit, riders must first qualify for this parallel service. People with a disability who are unable to use regular buses and trains some or all of the time may apply for eligibility by calling the local transit agency in their area and asking for an application. Dial 511 for a free transfer to your transit agency or paratransit agency. 

In the Bay Area, most transit agencies use a shared application and follow a common certification process. Once approved by one agency, you can use any ADA paratransit service across the region.

The Bay Area's regional ADA paratransit certification process is based on federal regulations that identify three categories for determining paratransit eligibility. According to the law, you may be eligible for paratransit if:        

• Your disability prevents you from boarding, riding, or getting off a bus or train without the help of someone else.   
• The service you need is not accessible. (Since most transportation systems are accessible in the Bay Area, this category seldom applies.)   
• Your disability prevents you from getting to or from a bus or train stop.

Not necessarily. The test for eligibility is based purely on your inability to use regular buses or trains. Your ability to use public transit may be limited by a physical, cognitive, visual or psychiatric disability. Difficulty using public transportation or being diagnosed as having a disability are not automatic grounds for paratransit eligibility. Similarly, eligibility is not based on your age, your inability to speak English, or inconvenient bus service. The only test for eligibility is based on your inability to use the regular public transit services offered by Bay Area transit operators.

It depends on your eligibility status, which is determined by the transit agency. You may be found to be:       

• Fully eligible: You can take paratransit trips whenever the service is available.
• Conditionally eligible: You can use paratransit for certain trips, but may be required to use regular (fixed-route) transit for others.
• Temporarily eligible: You can use paratransit for a limited time, based on the duration of your disability.

If you are denied eligibility, this means that the agency has determined that you are able to take public transportation, and you may not use paratransit service.

If you are denied eligibility and disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. Appeal instructions are included with the application form.

Yes, children count.

The Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) program has ended on October 1st, 2025, and all FasTrak CAV transponders now function as regular FasTrak Flex toll tags. Set the tag based on the number of people in the vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issues violations for improperly declared vehicle occupancy and illegal double white line crossings. Overhead beacons show the vehicle occupancy declared on the FasTrak Flex toll tag of each passing vehicle. Officers compare the beacon with the observed occupancy.

Visit carpool.511.org to find a carpool through the Bay Area Commuter Carpool Network. Visit vanpool.511.org to learn more about vanpooling. These web pages also have information about carpool rewards and vanpooling subsidies. 

Express Lanes are specially designated highway lanes that offer drivers a choice to save time by paying a toll while rewarding carpoolers with the same time savings at a lower cost. During operating hours, the toll price may change due to the number of drivers in the express lanes to manage demand. As demand increases, the price increases. As demand decreases, the price decreases. Express Lanes are free for all drivers outside of operating hours.     

Need more information? Watch our two-minute explanation video.

Call the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655). 

Outside of posted hours of operation, a sign may display a message like "OPEN TO ALL" instead of a price to indicate that you can use the lane at no charge and without FasTrak.

Drivers who do not pay their express lane tolls and penalty within 21 days of receipt will receive a second notice with an additional penalty of $20 ($30 total penalty). If the second toll notice goes unpaid, the driver may be unable to renew their annual vehicle registration sticker before paying off all tolls and violations.

When a driver uses an express lane without FasTrak (or other electronic tolling account, like EZ Pass), an image of the license plate is used to identify the vehicle. The vehicle owner is mailed an invoice for the unpaid toll as well as a $10 penalty fee. If the driver does not pay the toll and penalty fee on time, the vehicle owner receives a second notice with an additional $20 penalty.

Solo drivers pay to use the express lanes and 2-person carpools pay half-price tolls to use the express lanes on I-80, I-880, US-101, and SR-237.

Toll-free Travelers:

• 3+ person carpools with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 3+
• Motorcycles with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 3+
• Vanpools with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 3+
• 2-person carpools on I-680 and I-580 with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 2
• 2-person carpools in 2-seater vehicles with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 3+
• Transit vehicles

50% Discounted Travelers:

• 2-person carpools on I-80, I-880, US-101 and SR-237 with a FasTrak Flex tag set to 2
• Income-qualified drivers using the I-80 or I-880 Express Lanes who are enrolled in the Express Lanes START (opens in a new window)program

Express lanes provide solo drivers the choice to pay for faster trips when needed and reward carpoolers, vanpoolers, motorcycles and transit riders with faster trips at reduced or no cost.

You can use express lanes on the following highways during the times shown. Click the links for maps of each express lane or visit expresslanes.511.org for a regional map showing all Bay Area Express Lanes.

• I-80 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. 7 days a week
• I-580 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
• I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
• I-680 Sunol Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
• I-880 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
• US-101 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday
• SR-237 Express Lanes: 5am - 8pm. Monday - Friday

Drivers can merge into or out of Bay Area Express Lanes by crossing dashed white lines that separate the express lane from the adjacent general purpose lane. In some locations, Bay Area Express Lanes are separated from adjacent lanes with double white lines. In these locations, access into or out of the express lane is illegal and drivers can be cited by the California Highway Patrol for crossing double white lines. Double white lines are strategically located to prevent merging that would negatively impact traffic flow.Learn more about getting in and out of Express Lanes.

The amount you pay depends on how far you drive in the express lane and how heavy traffic is. Tolls increase as traffic increases and decrease as traffic decreases. 

The express lanes are broken down into toll zones. For example, a 20-mile express lane could have 4 or 5 toll zones. Overhead signs show one or two destinations and the price to travel to each. You never have to add the two destinations on the pricing sign together. The cost for a single zone may range from $0.50 to $15.00 depending on traffic and location of the zone.

You are guaranteed that you won't pay more than the price you see on the toll sign at the time you enter the express lane, even if prices change while you are in the lane. If you exit and re-enter the lane, however, your price may change.

Tolls are collected electronically using FasTrak®. Electronic readers identify toll tags in vehicles and apply the appropriate tolls to the FasTrak account. When FasTrak Flex toll tags are set to the 2 or 3+ position, the appropriate discount is applied. Tolls are collected only during the express lane hours of operation.

When a vehicle does not have a toll tag, cameras capture the vehicle's license plate. The license plate is matched to a FasTrak account and the toll is applied. If the license plate does not match to a FasTrak account, the driver is mailed an invoice for the toll plus a penalty. Learn more about pricing and pricing signs.

Yes, FasTrak® is required on all Bay Area Express Lanes. Carpools, vanpools and motorcycles can only travel toll-free free or at half-price with FasTrak Flex toll tags set to 2 or 3+. Solo drivers must have a FasTrak account to pay express lane tolls. Drivers who use the lanes without FasTrak receive toll violations. Learn more about the express lanes FasTrak® requirements.

New to FasTrak? Open an account and get a FasTrak Flex Toll Tag: 

• Online
• In Person at Costco or the FasTrak Walk-in Center
• By Phone or Mail

Learn more about getting started with FasTrak®.

Already have a FasTrak account? Each FasTrak account may have up to 4 toll tags.

• Sign in to your FasTrak account at bayareafastrak.org
• Click "manage tags & vehicle"
• Click "order a toll tag" 

You can access additional information at the FasTrak® website.

Carpooling can save you money and time, and improve your quality of life. By sharing rides with two or more people, you can split driving costs, get discounts on bridge tolls, and avoid traffic by using carpool lanes (HOV/diamond/express lanes). Carpooling is also a great way to meet new people and help the environment. Additionally, you could be eligible for county financial incentives or benefits from your employer. 

Carpool hours vary depending on where you are traveling, but you can find a list of hours and other details on our Carpool & Express Lanes page.

A carpool consists of two or more people, or three or more people, including the driver, depending on your route. Check requirements and hours of carpool lanes and bridges that are along your commute to take advantage of carpool lanes.

Contact your potential carpool partners to get to know them. Meet in a public place before starting and discuss your carpool. Don't travel with someone you don't trust. 511 Rideshare provides a referral service and does not certify the character of any potential carpool partners. Please review the 511 Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You can drive, ride, or share. Carpool every day or just on the days that work for you.

You can set your origin and destination to any location, not just home or work. You can also choose a Park & Ride Lot or a transit stop near the start or end of your route.

On days you drive, you’ll have your car to get home, but be sure to let fellow carpoolers know about your situation so they can make alternate arrangements. If you're a passenger, see if your employer or the county where you live and work offers a Guaranteed/Emergency Ride Home program. These programs can help you get home in an emergency on a day that you carpool, vanpool, etc., at no cost to you.

Carpooling can save you money by dividing driving expenses between members of the carpool. You can split costs evenly or base contributions on how often each person drives. If everyone takes turns driving equally, no money needs to change hands. If you're a passenger, you can contribute toward gas and other shared expenses.

Before you start or join a carpool, agree on the costs, schedule, and responsibilities of each participant. Discuss expenses and responsibilities with everyone.

To view a map of Park & Ride Lots:        

1. Visit the 511 Interactive Map.   
2. Select the 'Map Options' icon in the upper right corner of the map on the desktop version and at the bottom of the map on the mobile version.   
3. Click the 'Carpool' map layer.   
4. Click the checkbox next to 'Park & Ride.' Park & Ride lots should now be visible on the Interactive Map.

You can check out your county services to see if they offer ride-matching services.  You may be able to get a free list of carpool partners to connect with people to share rides and reduce the cost of driving.

511.org no longer provides the following:

• Trip planner,

• Real-time transit departure times,

• Transit agency schedules,

• Transit Tracker, and

• Real-time parking information.  (NOTE: This feature is also discontinued from the 511 Phone service)

MTC has always been, and will continue to be, committed to providing a flexible 511 system that evolves with changes in technology as well as user needs and expectations.

Usage trends and recent surveys show that Bay Area travelers are turning to a variety of sources to get around. Depending on their travel needs, they are increasingly using transit agency or private sector websites and apps for trip planning, real-time transit information, and transit schedules.

511 continues to provide core elements of the website, including the following:

• Traveler alerts

• An interactive map, with traffic, transit, carpool, and biking information layers,

• Consolidated tweets from 511 and partner agencies, and

• Resources for traffic, transit, paratransit, RTC discount card, carpool, vanpool, bicycling, express lanes, and park ‘n ride lots.

511 is also focusing on its strengths as a regional data provider to support and collaborate with the innovative work being done by the private sector. All of 511’s data is available free of charge on 511.org.

Trip Planner

Easy-to-use trip planning tools are widely available online and through mobile applications. Go to our Mobile Apps & Websites pages to find some alternatives.

Real-Time Departure Information

Travelers can use a variety of the many publicly available apps that deliver transit departure times. Visit our Mobile Apps page for a few options. And, real-time transit departure information continues to be available on the 511 phone.

Transit Agency Schedules

Bay Area transit agencies provide up-to-date transit schedules and fares information on their websites.

• AC Transit East Bay Paratransit
• Altamont Corridor Express
• BART Multiple providers listed
• Caltrain Accessibility
• Capitol Corridor
• Commute.org
• County Connection LINK Paratransit
• Dumbarton Express
• Emery Go-Round
• Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) DART Paratransit
• Golden Gate Ferry
• Golden Gate Transit Multiple providers listed
• LAVTA Wheels Dial-a-Ride Paratransit and Pleasanton Paratransit
• Marin Transit Marin Access/Whistlestop Wheels
• Petaluma Transit
• Rio Vista Delta Breeze
• SamTrans
• San Francisco Bay Ferry
• Santa Rosa CityBus
• SFMTA (Muni)
• SMART
• SolTrans
• Sonoma County Transit
• Stanford Marguerite Shuttle
• Tideline Marine Group Inc
• Tri Delta Transit
• Union City Transit
• Vacaville City Coach
• Vine (Napa County)
• VTA
• WESTCAT

Real-Time Parking Information

Drivers can acquire parking information from smartphone apps or from numerous websites. Find a selection of options on our Mobile Apps & Websites pages

The 511 SF Bay Alexa skill was discontinued on December 18^th, 2020. Real-time transit departure information and real-time traffic conditions will continue to be available on the 511 phone system. Simply call 511 and say “Departure Times” or “Traffic Conditions” to get started.

Yes. You have the option to transfer your plastic Clipper Access card to your mobile wallet, but you will still need to carry your plastic card with you as proof of eligibility.  

Once you add Clipper Access to your phone, the plastic card is deactivated for transit use and you can only use your mobile wallet to pay for fares; your plastic card is only used for identification. For more information, visit the Clipper Pay with Phone page. 

If you experience issues with transferring your plastic Clipper Access card to your mobile wallet, please contact the Clipper Customer Service (877) 878-8883 or if hearing impaired, call the TDD at (800) 735-2929. 

You need to fill out either the Basic or Medical application and take them to a transit agency to have your picture taken. You can find more information on the Eligibility Page. There is no fee to apply for the program.

If you would like to update your mailing address or contact information on file, please email clipperaccess@bayareametro.gov or go in person to one of the Clipper Access processing locations.

Most Clipper Access applications have no fee. Replacement cards have a $3 fee. 

If you have a Clipper Access card, are a San Francisco resident and meet the income eligibility requirements, you may also be eligible for the free MUNI program managed separately by SFMTA. More information can be found on SFMTA’s website.

To request Braille and large print forms, email clipperaccess@bayareametro.gov or call 415-778-6622.

Physical forms are available in four languages: English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog. Large print is available in all languages. Braille is available in Spanish and English. 

Digital application forms are accessible for screen readers and can be found on the 511 website at the Clipper Access home page. 

If your Clipper Access card is not expired and stopped working, you should fill out a Defective Card Application (PDF) and take it to a local processing location to have your card tested. The Defective Card application must be submitted in person as it requires transit agency staff to test your card to confirm if it has malfunctioned. 

If your application is incomplete, Clipper Access will reach out to you using your contact information provided on the application form. 

If you are unable to submit your Clipper Access application in-person or by mail due to disability, please call (415) 778-6622.

Contact Customer Service for alternative application materials such as Large Format or other formats.

You may also request a paper application be mailed to you by calling Customer Service or writing directly:

Clipper Access 
P.O. Box 7006 
Stockton, CA 95267 

Discount fares on bus, rail or ferry are available for eligible riders without a Clipper Access card, but only on transit that accepts cash fares. Please check with the transit agency's services you plan to use.  

You must show a valid photo ID and one of the following when you board:

• Medicare card (not Medi-Cal)
• A current Disabled Person Parking Placard Receipt from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Transit discount ID card issued by another California transit agency equivalent to the Clipper Access Card. Please be aware that acceptance of non-Bay Area transit cards is at the discretion of individual transit operators.

If you are a Senior (65 or older) you may receive discounted fares using a Senior Clipper card. Learn more about the Senior Clipper card(opens in a new window).

Many transit agencies offer monthly discount passes that must be electronically loaded onto your Clipper Access card. Some transit agencies provide stickers that can be placed on your card. Contact your transit agency for more information. Please check the list of transit agencies.

Clipper Access cards are valid for varying lengths of time and will differ based on whether:  

1. Your medical professional determines that your disability is of a limited duration, or
2. Your eligibility is tied to a qualifying document that is valid for a specific period such as a DMV placard (typically every 2 years), or 
3. You used a card from another transit agency as proof of eligibility.  

If you have a “P” (indicating permanent disability) on your card and you applied or renewed you card after January 2020, you do not need to renew your card again.

If you apply to Clipper Access with the Medical Eligibility Application, your medical professional can check the box to certify your need for an attendant. If you apply to Clipper Access with the Basic Eligibility Application and travel with an attendant on a Bay Area paratransit service provider, you can check the ADA Paratransit box.  

Clipper Access cards with an attendant symbol permit you to pay discounted cash fares for your attendant. If you would like your attendant to use a Clipper card when traveling with you, apply for an "Attendant-Limited" Clipper card at a transit agency. The attendant will not receive their own Clipper Access card nor be included in the photo on your card. The "Attendant-Limited" Clipper card allows your attendant to pay discounted transit fares only when accompanying you.

There is no fee for the attendant card.  

A service animal is any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Certification or documentation is not required for your service animal. However, the service animal must be under your control at all times. The Clipper Access card does not contain any special marking for a service animal, and a photograph of your animal is not required for your Clipper Access card. 

We recommend using a Clipper Access card when visiting the Bay Area.  

You may apply for a Clipper Access card prior to your visit. If you are visiting for less than 3 months, use the "Basic Eligibility" application form and a valid ID as proof of eligibility that works best for you. If you use the "Medical Eligibility" application, the certification must be completed by a doctor licensed in California.

You may not use an out-of-area discount card to pay your fare. Your out-of-area card may be used as proof of Clipper Access eligibility for discount fares, however, local transit operators may not recognize your card, so we recommend applying for a Clipper Access card. 

For questions about application status, call any of the transit agency offices listed on our RTC Processing Locations page.

Call Clipper Customer Service at (877) 878-8883 or if hearing impaired, call the TDD at (800) 735-2929.

Note: MUNI riders with a free MUNI pass must contact Customer Service to ensure that their pass is transferred to their new card. 

If you are unable to submit your RTC application by mail or in person at a transit agency due to your disability, please contact rtcinfo@bayareametro.gov for next steps.

Once your application is approved, cards will arrive within 21 days. If you have not received your card after 21 days, you can call any of the transit agency processing locations. They will let you know if your card was returned as undeliverable. If your card needs to be sent again, it can be sent to a transit agency near you to pick up. 

For more information, contact the Clipper Access Customer Service.

Phone:  415-778-6622
Email:  clipperaccess@bayareametro.gov 

Yes. 511 provides the latest breaking traffic news and emergency information affecting drivers. When urgent or emergency news happens, 511 will display a ticker at the top of the page to make sure motorists stay informed about major traffic impacts in the region and their commute alternatives.

Using the Freeway Assist program, drivers on Bay Area freeways with a non-emergency situation (such as a flat tire, stalled car, or running out of gas) can dial 511 on their cell phones. Once connected, they should say “Freeway Assist.” The call will be transferred to the current call answering center that answers roadside call boxes, which will then determine the location of the motorist and provide appropriate roadside assistance services. Learn more about 511 Freeway Assist.

The map provides real-time information on traffic congestion, current incidents, construction and events in the region:

• Traffic Congestion: The map shows real-time and predicted traffic congestion on freeways, highways and expressways in the Bay Area and color-codes each according to how congested it is at the current time – from green for free flow to dark red for stop-and-go traffic. Click the "Map Options" icon in the upper right corner of the map on the desktop version and at the bottom of the map on the mobile version to access Traffic layers. You can click the checkbox to toggle traffic on and off on the map.
• Incidents/Road Closures: Incidents, shown on the map with a yellow alert diamond, include traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, debris, etc. that affect traffic conditions. Road closures are shown on the map with a red closed icon. Click on any icon on the map for more details about the specific incident or road closure.
• Construction: The construction cone icon shows the location where road construction is currently taking place. Click a construction icon on the map for more details about that specific construction event. A user may also see a closed icon when a roadwork project has closed all lanes of travel.
• Events: The event icon shows the location of all current special events. Click an event icon the map for more details about that specific event.
• Traffic Cameras: The camera icon shows where local traffic cameras are deployed. Click on the icon on the map to view current camera snapshots.

To make the map full screen on desktop select the black and white expand icon in the lower right corner of the map.

Yes, the 511 interactive map automatically refreshes. Traffic data, including speeds and incidents on the map and in the text tools, will automatically update so that the information presented is always current.

If you have zoomed the map or enabled/disabled different map layers, such as cameras or events, select the Reset Map icon in the lower right corner of the map to restore the map to its default zoom and layers. It’s a quick way to get back to a regional view of the map with current traffic conditions.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides traffic incident data to 511. The CHP’s Computer Aided Dispatch system provides information on accidents, stalled vehicles, debris, etc., that could affect traffic flow.

Construction and event data come from several sources, including the Caltrans Lane Closure System and event notices from major event centers.

Our Accessibility page provides a list of web accessibility tools that convert text to speech, enhance colors, enlarge text, streamline navigation, and provide a range of other assistance. 

You can click on each incident, construction and event icon on the map for more details, or you can go to the Alerts section in the navigation bar and select "Traffic Alerts." The Alerts section includes  Current Incidents, Construction & Event Info and details on current Caltrans message signs.

The map provides a variety of real-time and static traffic, carpooling, transit, parking and bicycling information. You can find these options by selecting the “Map Options” icon in the upper right corner of the map on the desktop version and at the bottom of the map on the mobile version.

The map provides the location of transit centers, stops and routes in the region.        

• Transit Centers: The map shows the location of transit centers. Transit centers are regionally important locations served by public transit, may be served by multiple transit agencies, and often serve as transfer points.   
• Transit Stops: All transit stops in the region are shown in this layer. Select an icon to see which transit agency (or agencies) serve this stop, as well as the Stop ID to get real-time departures (if available).   
• Transit Routes: This layer displays several transit routes for the region. Each route is displayed with a different color to differentiate between the specific service line or agency.

Our live traffic camera photo streams are provided to us by other agencies for use as part of the 511 service. The quality, availability and reliability of the traffic cameras are outside MTC’s control. While we continually strive to provide quality live traffic camera photo streams, there may be occasions when a camera is unavailable. Some of the reasons for this include network congestion, browser/viewer issues or traffic camera server concerns. We apologize for this inconvenience, and recommend that you try back a little later or view a nearby camera.

The map provides real-time information on traffic congestion, current incidents, construction and events in the region. Traffic map layers can be toggled on and off by selecting the check boxes.   

• Speed Lines: The map shows real-time traffic congestion on freeways, highways and expressways in the Bay Area and color-codes each according to how congested it is at the current time, from green for free flow to dark red for stop-and-go traffic.    

• Incidents, Events: Incidents refer to traffic accidents, stalled vehicles, debris, etc., that affect traffic conditions. Incidents are symbolized on the map with a yellow icon. Road closures are symbolized on the map with a closed icon. The event icon shows the location of all current special events. Click on any of these icons on the map for more details about the specific incident, road closure or event.    

• Construction: The construction cone icon shows where road construction is currently taking place. Click a construction icon on the map for more details about that specific construction event. A user may also see a closed icon when a roadwork project has closed all lanes of travel.

• Caltrans Signs: The sign icon shows what is currently displayed on Caltrans' changeable message signs throughout the region.    

• Cameras: The camera icon shows where local traffic cameras are deployed. Click on the icon on the map to view current camera snapshots.

The map provides static information on casual carpool locations, tolls, HOV lanes and Park & Ride lots.        

• Casual carpool: The map shows the locations where you can pick up a casual carpool. Selecting an icon will provide detailed information about the location.   
• Bridge Tolls: The map shows the location of tolls in the Bay Area. Click a toll icon to get more information about the toll, including the direction of the toll plaza, variable hours, and carpool discounts.   
• HOV Lanes: The map shows the location of HOV lanes. Select an HOV icon to see the direction and extent of the HOV lane, as well as the effective hours and vehicle occupancy rules.   
• Park & Ride: The map shows the location of Park & Ride lots. Click a "Park & Ride" icon for more detailed location information and the parking lot capacity.

The map provides real-time information on the location of Bay Wheels stations as well as the current rental and return availability. The Bike Routes option also shows existing biking routes in the greater Bay Area.

Click here to use the 511 suggestions form. We appreciate your feedback and comments.

The WZDx API is designed to cover all local streets, freeways, and state highways in the San Francisco Bay Area for participating jurisdictions. The WZDx API provides planned and active work zone-related activities, closures, and detours on those roadways.

You can access the WZDx Feed using the following endpoint: https://api.511.org/traffic/wzdx?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]

511 SF Bay, the free regional traveler information program managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), currently offers transit, traffic, and toll data through a number of standardized data feed and API endpoints. These open data services are provided to anyone with a valid API key. A single API key can be used with all data endpoints available through the http://api.511.org domain.

An API key can be requested by submitting this form. Once your email address is verified, a key will be issued to you. You will need to use that key with your desired data endpoints to receive data.

The default limit is 60 requests per 3600 seconds per API key. Rate limit can be increased based on the need and use case. To request an increased rate limit, please contact transitdata@511.org with the following information:

• your API key,
• the rate limit you need,
• a description of the use case,
• the data endpoints you intend to use,
• and a brief justification for the requested rate limit.

Relevant technical specifications for transit, traffic, and toll data feeds and APIs can be found at the bottom of transit and traffic open data pages. These documents are kept up to date as and when changes to data feed and API endpoints are deployed in production.

We recommend that our data consumers first review transit, traffic and toll technical specifications and then look up our FAQs. If further help is needed, please send an email to our Google group at 511developerresources@googlegroups.com. Someone will respond as soon as possible.

All transit service operators currently in the 511 system and their IDs can be queried from the http://api.511.org/transit/operators?api_key={your_key}. 
There are a few things to note about the response of this API: Operators with IDs 5E, 5F, 5O, and 5S are used internally by the 511 system and have no transit service data associated with them. 5E may be used to provide information during regional emergencies.  A ‘true’ value in the <Monitored> tag means that the operator provides real-time data as well.  More information can be found in the “API: Operator” section of the 511 Data Exchange Specifications - Transit documentation.

You can find the IDs and names for all lines for an operator from the Lines API:

http://api.511.org/transit/lines?api_key={your_key}&Operator_id={operatorID}

For more details and available filters, please review the 511 Transit data feed and API specification available in the “API: Line” section of the Open 511 Data Exchange Specification - Transit.

To get an active timetable for a desired transit route, send a request using the following timetable API:

http://api.511.org/transit/timetable?api_key={your_key}&operator_id={operatorID}&line_id={lineID}

You can obtain the required operatorID and lineID from the Operator and Line APIs referenced in the previous two FAQs. Please note that the timetable provides scheduled times for timepoint stops only. (A timepoint is a major stop which should not be passed earlier than what is published.) For more details and available filters for the timetable API, please review the ”API: Stop” section of the 511 Data Exchange Specification - Transit.

511 Open Data currently includes rail services that operate beyond the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, including Capitol Corridor, ACE and San Joaquins. Transit operators outside the Bay Area, providing express commuter bus services into the Bay Area, are not yet included in the system. However, MTC is exploring the possibility of incorporating those commuter services into 511 Open Data.

There are several shuttle services in the San Francisco Bay Area, some with scheduled service and others that are flexible. Shuttles with scheduled services that provide data to 511 SF Bay are included in 511 Open Data.  However, 511 SF Bay only includes transit services in the San Francisco Bay Area that are open to the public and operate on a published schedule. Transit operators are required to provide data to the 511 SF Bay system following a protocol in a timely manner. 

Some private ferry operators do not provide scheduled services that are open to the public; therefore, they are not included in 511 Open Data. Other private ferry operators, which do have scheduled departures to tourist destinations, are currently unable to provide their data in a timely manner according to the required protocol. As these ferry operators become capable of providing data that fulfills 511 SF Bay’s requirements, their data will be made available through our system.

The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is an Open Standard used to distribute relevant information about transit systems to riders. To provide data consumers with value-added single data feeds for static and real-time transit data, 511 SF Bay has consolidated all data provided by the transit agencies in the region into the Regional General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) feed or the Regional GTFS-RT feed for real-time information. The Regional feeds provide data consumers a well-supported and curated single source for transit data for 30+ transit operations. In addition, these feeds not only merge data from transit agencies but also support cross-agency conditions through GTFS Fares V2 and GTFS Pathways data.

You can download the Regional GTFS Feed using ‘RG’ value for the operator filter in the Datafeeds API endpoint, as shown in the following data endpoint:    

http://api.511.org/transit/datafeeds?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&operator_id=RG

You can download Regional GTFS-RT Feeds using the ‘RG’ value for the agency filter in TripUpdates, VehiclePositions, and ServiceAlerts data API endpoints. Here are the complete data endpoints:    

Regional Trip Updates: https://api.511.org/Transit/TripUpdates?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&agency=RG

Regional Vehicle Positions: https://api.511.org/Transit/VehiclePositions?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&agency=RG

Regional Service Alerts: https://api.511.org/transit/servicealerts?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&agency=RG

Historic GTFS-RT feeds are available in the form of a real-time data archive – stop_observations.txt – that will allow data consumers to download observed real-time arrival times at all stops for all trips in a monthly historic static GTFS data feed. This data, alongside the historic scheduled arrivals/departures, can be valuable for transit service analysis, transportation planning, and other research purposes. Stop_observations file is available in monthly historic feed starting from March 2022 and can be requested by appending ‘-so’ to the ‘yyyy-mm’ historic parameter value as shown in the following sample URL:

https://api.511.org/transit/datafeeds?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&operator_id=RG&historic=2023-01-so

The historic Regional GTFS feed is produced monthly and provides a complete, retrospective view of services scheduled on each day of the month. By combining multiple monthly historical feeds, users can perform analyses across months, quarters and years.    

The historic Regional GTFS feed can be downloaded by using the filter ‘historic’ with the datafeeds API. The following is a sample URL to download the historic feed for January 2021.

https://api.511.org/transit/datafeeds?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&operator_id=RG&historic=2021-01

Historic Regional GTFS feeds are equivalent to the original daily Regional Feeds in the stops, routes, and scheduled services they contain. The use of a historic feed will produce the same output in a routing engine or other tools used for analysis.    

Historic feeds are different from Regional GTFS feeds in their specific GTFS structure:        

• calendars.txt records are removed and rewritten in calendar_dates.txt   
• trips.txt records are hashed and compared (as described in Appendix E3.3 of Open Data Specification - Transit)   
• IDs for global records are namespaced (as described in Appendix E.3.2 of Open Data Specification - Transit)   
• Additional stop_ observations.txt file, if requested explicitly, provides observed real-time arrivals at every stop for all trips.        

These differences should not affect routing engines or similar types of analysis. However, data consumers should keep these differences in mind when they are trying to use historical feeds to understand changes in GTFS data and its practices over time at Bay Area agencies.

Yes, 511 SF Bay provides detailed fare information for all transit agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area region as part of the Regional GTFS feed in the proposed GTFS Fares V2 format (URL: http://bit.ly/gtfs-fares). 

You can download the Regional GTFS Feed using ‘RG’ value for the operator filter in the Datafeeds API endpoint, as shown in the following data endpoint:    

http://api.511.org/transit/datafeeds?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&operator_id=RG

Yes, the 511 SF Bay Open Data Portal now provides pathways information for many transit stations/hubs in the region in the GTFS Pathways format. This information is provided as part of the 511’s Regional GTFS feed. 

You can download the Regional GTFS Feed using ‘RG’ value for the operator filter in the Datafeeds API endpoint, as shown in the following data endpoint:    

http://api.511.org/transit/datafeeds?api_key=[YOUR_API_KEY]&operator_id=RG

Yes, the 511 Open Data Portal provides toll data for all San Francisco Bay Area bridges and dynamic toll rate data for some express lane corridors in the region.  This information is available over 511’s toll API endpoint, and can be accessed using the following URL: 

https://api.511.org/toll/programs?api_key=ENTER-API-KEY-HERE

The 511 SF Bay program covers all freeways and state highways in the San Francisco Bay Area. The traffic event API provides active incidents and planned events on those roadways. Detailed technical specifications of the traffic event API can be downloaded from the 511 Data Exchange Specification – Traffic Event API guide.

Yes, the 511 SF Bay Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) feed utilizes the specification put together by a consortium of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), and others. The specification can be found at https://github.com/usdot-jpo-ode/wzdx.

Yes, 511.org is fully mobile-compatible and resizes to fit your device’s screen. Simply bookmark 511.org or save it to your smartphone or tablet home screen. You can bookmark the 511.org homepage or the pages you use most often.    

Please use 511.org safely. If you need to check traffic conditions while driving, call 511 and use voice commands or pull over to check your phone.

Create your own app-like button for 511.org or bookmark your favorite pages using your device’s "add to home screen/desktop" or "bookmark" feature. (This feature may vary by device.)

The 511.org homepage features a real-time map of traffic speeds and current incidents, construction, events, and road closures. Check the site at any time to see real-time traffic conditions and special alerts for your route. You can also call 511 to hear driving times for your route or traffic conditions for a city, highway, bridge, or hotspot, or visit 511’s X, formerly known as Twitter, page at x.com/511SFBay for up-to-the-minute traffic and transit alerts across the Bay Area. 

Be safe! Please check traffic conditions before you leave, call 511 for voice-activated travel information, or pull over to check your smartphone for updates.

The 511.org homepage features a real-time map that features transit information and disruptions. Check the site at any time to see real-time conditions and special alerts for your route. You can also call 511 and say "Departure Times" at the main menu. You will then be asked to enter your Stop ID. If you don't know your Stop ID, you can say the agency and route name to use 511's backup help system to hear your departure times and learn your Stop ID number.

The 511 Interactive Map provides traffic information, casual carpool locations, transit stops and routes, bike routes, and much more. Find the information you want by clicking the "Map Options" icon in the upper right corner of the map on the desktop version and at the bottom of the map on the mobile version. Choose a transportation mode (Traffic, Carpool, Transit, or Bicycling) to expand the layer options and select the information you'd like to see on the map. Then, close the Map Options menu by clicking the 'X' in the upper right corner. Your settings will be saved, so that next time you visit 511.org, your preferred layers will be waiting for you. Simply click any icon on the map, such as a traffic incident, to get more information.

To enlarge the map on a desktop, click the black, expanding arrows icon in the lower right corner to enlarge the map. Click it again to reduce the size.

Click the black, counterclockwise arrow icon in the lower right corner to reset the map. This is helpful if you have zoomed in or activated layers for a particular trip, and now you want the map restored to the regional traffic view. You can also use the plus and minus buttons located in the lower right corner of the map to zoom in and out. Any changes you make to the default view, or any layers you add to the map, will be saved for your next visit to 511.org.

Yes. We provide a comprehensive list of all of the information available on the 511 Interactive Map in screen-reader-friendly format, along with browser extensions and operating system-based tools that extend functionality on our Accessibility page. 

Try using the site’s search feature. Click the search field on the left-hand side of the menu, or tap the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner if you're on a smaller screen.

Please reach out to us via the 511 Feedback form. Your questions or concerns will be forwarded to the appropriate staff for consideration.

You can request and receive departure time predictions on the phone. Call 511 and say "Departure Times" at the main menu. You will then be asked to enter your Stop ID, or if you don't know your Stop ID, you can say the agency and route name to use 511's backup help system to hear your departure times and learn your Stop ID number. You can also visit our Find a Transit Stop ID page. 

The following agencies are currently included in 511 Departure Times:  

• AC Transit
• BART
• Caltrain
• County Connection
• Dumbarton Express
• Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST)
• Golden Gate Transit
• Marin Transit
• Napa VINE Transit
• SamTrans
• San Francisco Muni
• Santa Rosa CityBus
• SMART
• SolTrans
• Sonoma County Transit
• Tri Delta Transit
• VTA Bus Routes and Light Rail
• WestCAT
• Wheels (LAVTA)

A Stop ID is a unique number associated with a specific transit stop that 511 uses to identify the stop for which you want to receive departure time predictions. This ID automatically includes your direction of travel (i.e., the side of the platform or street the stop is on). For example, Stop ID #16996 identifies the outbound platform at Van Ness Station. When you enter this ID number, 511 Departure Times will play predictions for every outbound transit line that stops at Van Ness Station. Stop ID #15419 will play predictions for inbound service at Van Ness Station. Also, Stop IDs are transit agency-specific, so stops served by multiple agencies will have at least one unique Stop ID per agency.

To get your Stop ID, call 511 and say "Departure Times." When prompted, say your agency and route, and use the backup help system to identify your stop. After hearing the predicted departure times for your stop, 511 will play your stop's ID number. You can also visit our Find a Transit Stop ID page.

Stop ID decals for AC Transit, Dumbarton Express, Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST), Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Napa VINE Transit, SamTrans, SolTrans, Muni, Tri Delta Transit, VTA and WestCAT are currently installed at bus stop signs, shelters and poles.    

Some agencies post Stop IDs that differ from those used by 511, but you can use the following guidance to figure out the 511 Stop ID at your bus stop:        

• County Connection: Add "83" to the beginning of the posted Stop ID. For example, if the posted Stop ID is "1950," use Stop ID "831950" on 511.
• Santa Rosa CityBus: Add "80" to the beginning of the posted Stop ID. For example, if the posted Stop ID is "241," use Stop ID "80241" on 511.

BART, Caltrain and Wheels are continuing to explore decal designs appropriate for their rail stations and bus stops.

If you don't see a Stop ID decal, call 511 and say "Departure Times." When prompted, say your agency and route and use the backup help system to identify your stop. After hearing the predicted departure times for your stop, 511 will play your stop's ID number.

Periodically, you might not receive predictions after calling 511 to request departure times. Most often, this is because the stop you requested is not predicted to have any departures within 90 minutes of the time of your request. 511 does not provide predictions greater than 90 minutes. Also, you may not receive predictions when the real-time prediction device on the vehicle(s) serving your stop is not working. However, if you receive this message when routes are departing the stop, or if you receive a message saying that the system is unavailable, please contact us so that we can look into the problem.

You can use cross streets on the 511 phone service to get departure time predictions, but only through the backup help menu. To access the backup help system, say your agency and route at the Transit Departures menu. You will then be prompted to say your direction and cross streets to obtain your departure times. If you don’t know your direction, just say the route name, and the system will prompt you to select your direction from a list of directions to choose from. However, if you use a Stop ID instead, you can get your departure times instantly, without needing to say your agency name, route number, or location.

A vanpool is a group of 7–15 people who commute to and from work together in a van. Vanpool members do not have to work in the same location or office, but must have the same origin and destination cities.

There are two types of vanpools to consider when getting started: those owned by individuals or those leased by Commute with Enterprise. If you own your own van, you can learn more about starting your own vanpool. If you don't own a van and would like to start or join one, contact Commute with Enterprise. 

Costs vary. The price is based on mileage, vehicle, and number of members, etc. For more information, contact Commute with Enterprise.

In most cases, driver(s) and riders make a month-to-month commitment. You may leave the vanpool by giving the driver/coordinator the requested notice (usually 30 days).

A commuter who has committed to taking 6–14 other people to/from work. The driver may drive every day or share the driving with backup drivers.

No, drivers and back-up drivers of vanpools only need a regular, class C automobile driver’s license.

If you’re the driver, be sure to let fellow vanpoolers know your situation as soon as possible so they can make alternate arrangements. If you're a passenger, see if your employer or the county where you live and work offers a Guaranteed/Emergency Ride Home program. These programs can help you get home in an emergency on a day that you carpool, vanpool, etc. at no cost to you.

Vanpools meet and drop off at designated areas. Typically, you'll meet your vanpool at a local Park & Ride Lot and will be dropped off near a centralized area near your worksite.  Vanpools do not offer door-to-door services.