BART Riders Brace for Weekend Without Transbay Trains

BART riders are bracing for a weekend without train service between San Francisco and the East Bay as crews prepare to replace hundreds of rail ties in the Transbay Tube.

On Thursday, BART officials repeated what they've been telling passengers for weeks: Traffic's going to be a mess, so don't cross the bay unless travel is essential.

"The Bay Bridge will be extremely crowded and we’re strongly recommending people stay on their side of the bay," says Taylor Huckaby, a BART spokesman. So far, he believes most riders are getting the message.

Trains will not be running between West Oakland and San Francisco Saturday and Sunday so workers can install more than 900 new rail ties and replace rails inside the tube. Service is scheduled to resume Monday morning at 4 a.m.

For those who do need to cross the bay, a fleet of more than 80 buses from various Bay Area transit agencies will be available to shuttle riders between 19th Street Station in Oakland and the temporary Transbay Terminal in San Francisco. However, riders are being warned to expect delays. Huckaby says buses will run once a minute.

Buses at 19th Street Station will have direct access to the Bay Bridge via West Grand Avenue. In San Francisco, bus riders will be able to walk two blocks to Embarcadero Station and catch a BART train headed to Millbrae.

BART officials stress that while trains won't be running through the tube, added train service will be available on each side of the bay. Huckaby says BART officials have been working to correct some miscommunication among passengers that the entire system was going to shut down.

"That’s not the message we’re trying to get out. If you stay on your side of the bay, there will still be BART," says Huckaby.

An army of volunteers in yellow vests will be available to help guide passengers to buses and stations. Paratransit service will be available for riders with disabilities. Extra ferry service will also be provided.

BART officials are also planning another Transbay Tube shutdown for Labor Day weekend next month, from Sept. 5-7.