Bay Area transit debuts synced schedules

Bay Area transit agencies debuted new synced schedules Monday with a focus on improving transfers between systems for a better rider experience.

The new transit agencies' schedules are in coordination with each other and the systems are working to align the timing of schedule changes twice each year, once in summer and once in winter. 

The efforts align with MTC's Bay Area Transportation Action Plan that was a product of the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force.

There has been a 250% increase in the number of transit agencies changing their schedule concurrently twice each year, and six of seven major transit providers are syncing their schedule changes at least once a year.

Agencies convened a meeting in March 2024 to share planned changes while looking for opportunities to improve transfers. Advancing schedule change alignment is a key priority for Bay Area transit general managers who meet on a weekly basis to make transit more rider-focused and efficient. 

The major agencies are already working on another iteration of a coordinated schedule change to go into effect in January 2025. These coordinated schedule changes will benefit current transit riders with a goal of attracting new riders.