Several Bay Area transit agencies have announced their plans for late-night coordinated services during the FIFA World Cup, with the goal to move people around the region safely and efficiently.
General managers from BART, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority gathered in downtown San Francisco’s Powell Street station Tuesday to discuss their plan to move an estimated 200,000 World Cup soccer fans to and from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara starting this weekend.
The stadium, usually home to the San Francisco 49ers pro football team, will host six World Cup matches, starting Saturday with Qatar vs. Switzerland.
BART General Manager Bob Powers said the agency will run limited special service starting from Milpitas with stops at Bay Fair, Dublin, MacArthur, El Cerrito del Norte, Pleasant Hill, and Powell Street stations — after normal operating hours end. He said that special event trains are not running on a set schedule but will depart when VTA trains arrive at the Milpitas station and drop off passengers. Powers emphasized the interagency coordination to keep the experience as efficient and positive as possible.
“Unlike other areas throughout the country, there’s not any surge pricing here,” said Powers. “Each of the operators are going to flood the system with additional personnel, from safety and security ambassadors to transportation professionals.”
Carolyn Gonot is the general manager for the VTA, the public transit agency that directly serves Levi’s Stadium, and she estimated over 30,000 people will be using public transit every day during the festivities. Gonot said the agency gained valuable experience during this year’s Super Bowl football game at the same stadium and will run light-rail service every 10 to 15 minutes to help clear stations late at night.
“No one will be left on platforms,” said Gonot. “Trains from Great America and Lick Mill stations will continue operating for up to two hours after the game, or as long as the crowds are there or waiting on the platform.”
“Unlike other areas throughout the country, there’s not any surge pricing here. Each of the operators are going to flood the system with additional personnel, from safety and security ambassadors to transportation professionals.”
Bob Powers, BART General Manager
World Cup fans transferring between systems will be able to travel by VTA to either the Milpitas BART station via gate F in the stadium or the Mountain View station via gate A for Caltrain service.
San Francisco residents and visitors returning from Santa Clara will see late-night shuttle service by the SFMTA. Shuttles will circulate between Union Square, South of Market, BART and Caltrain at 4th and King and serve stops along the 45 Union/Stockton line.
Capitol Corridor and Altamont Corridor Express trains will be operating late night services as well, to and from the Great America station. Capitol Corridor Managing Director Robert Padgette said staff members will be present to direct passengers to the Great America station.
Public transit officials urge the public to plan ahead, arrive early, and use either their Clipper Card or tap with their bank card to pay their fares.
Additional times for VTA service can be found on the agency’s website.
Visit BART online for more information about late night special event trains.
Caltrain passengers can find the full schedule of regular and late-night trains on the Caltrain website.