The San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies are stepping up their protection for passengers from COVID-19. The transit agencies are working closely with local health agencies and federal CDC (Center for Disease Control) health department. The Bay Area transit agencies are monitoring the COVID-19 situational status to protect passengers. The transit agencies are cleaning more of their fleet vehicles and/or railway trains interior with more disinfectant solutions.

The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) agency is launching the payment app for passengers to make it easier to pay for parking fees in the Bay Area. It payment app applies for personal car parking fees payment and/or carpooling parking fees payment at local BART locations. The BART payment app for personal cars can operate at five stations and payment app for carpooling can operate at 19 stations. The new payment app for BART marks a milestone for modernizing the payment processing for parking fees.

The SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) transit implements a new Transit Priority Quick Build Program to improve muni services in West Bay. The SFMTA Board of Directors approved therein program for muni improvement services in San Francisco and aligned with Vision Zero goals. The approval of therein program by SFMTA board clears the way for repair crews to quickly fix hotspots for muni services improvement. It's a Muni Forward initiative program to improve transit services and local residents shared their support.

The AC (Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District) joins South Bay and West Bay transit agencies with prevention elements to protect passengers from coronavirus in the Bay Area. The AC transit agency is working closely Alameda County Public Health Department and Contra Costa Health Services regarding protection for East Bay passengers from coronavirus (COVID-19). The AC transit agency is working closely with the federal health agency called CDC (Centers for Disease Control) for guidance.

The SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) ridership continues to increase in North Bay with 40% since last year. The SMART transit agency recognizes thereby ridership increase within two months in row. The SMART data identifies therein train transports approximately 3,000 passengers per day in North Bay. Including ridership increase by 70% during weekend services for passengers since last year. That means a lot of passengers are not driving their cars and protecting our local environment.

The SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) transit received survey results for extending therein Central Subway services in San Francisco. The SFMTA is planning to open therein Central Subway during 2021 and expecting to transport thousands of passengers. Because of the growing populations in San Francisco along with working people, the SFMTA received surveying results showing 79% of people would like an extension. The survey 79% percentage shows 27% of people agree and 52% strongly agree for an extension to meet their transportation goals.

The VTA (Valley Transportation Agency) transit is continuously updating their system to have essential information with riders quickly in South Bay. Including real-time alerts for cancellation of local trips and VTA understands the challenges with thereby inconvenience. The passengers can view therein cancel trips quickly by tapping onto the VTA Transit App and/or VTA.org with new service alerts. These cancellation trips are published automatically online on a daily basis when a trip is canceled.

The VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) transit agency in South Bay and other Bay Area transit agencies are monitoring therein coronavirus (COVID-19) to protect passengers. The San Francisco Mayor London Breed, has declared a local emergency for containment of therein coronavirus threat. The mayor approach is taking a standard step to protect people in San Francisco including passengers riding on local muni buses. Although, the risk of therein coronavirus is low in California and nationwide, VTA and other transit agencies are taking precautionary steps to protect passengers.

The California state legislators will have to consider approving AB2674 (Assembly Bill 2674) to help bicyclists and pedestrians in the Bay Area. The AB2674 is being introduced by California Assemblymember Phil Ting, (D-San Francisco) District 19 to ban bridge tolls for bicyclists and pedestrians. The AB2674 legislation is to extend therein law already in place, and stopping bicyclists and pedestrians from paying bridge tolls. Because the law already in place will expire in January 2021, and it will be extended for another 10 years, if AB2674 legislation is approved by state legislators.

The WETA (Water Emergency Transportation Authority) agency continues to provide ongoing maintenance for transporting ferry vessels in the Bay Area. The WETA transit agency pulls out fleet vessels once a year to check for safety elements and/or refurbishment when necessary. Including engine maintenance checkup, vessel operating system upgrades, new painting, etc. for safety reasoning and protecting passengers. Especially when Golden State Warriors have home games at Chase Center with passengers boarding at Pier 48 at Mission Bay.