RELATED: Gov. Newsom teases Phase 3 of reopening California businesses is closer than we thought
Planned changes come as an eye-opening study from Vanderbilt is released, showing if three out of four workers chooses to take a car versus public transportation, drive times increase a whopping 42 minutes.
[Ads /]
It's one of the issues discussed during Thursday's Bay Area Council webinar with heads of various transportation agencies.
One change already implemented March 20th: The Bay Area Toll Authority decision to switch to all electric tolls on area bridges. That could continue.
"It seems to be working relatively smoothly... We'll work with the commission on how we're going to work toward to an all-electric toy future... Stay tuned for that," says Therese McMillan, Executive Director for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
RELATED: Is the Bay Area ready for Phase 2? Here's what every single county says
The most sweeping changes will be for public transit. SFTMA already has eliminated 3-fourths of their 70+ bus routes. As they begin to look ahead to opening more routes, they're are working with, and learning from Asian countries that have successfully flattened the curve.
[Ads /]
"One thing Taipei learned is that social distancing is't working on public transportation... what tolerance is there for enforcement of face covering rules. We don't like rules in the United States and it's going to be necessary if we're going to open the economy and not have thousands of people die," says Jeff Tumlin, Director of Transportation for the SFMTA.
RELATED: 'Congestion pricing' suspended on Bay Bridge, toll to remain at $6 everyday amid COVID-19 pandemic
On BART 95-percent of riders already wear masks. The agency is studying European cities and is doubling down, wanting to make mask-wearing as common as remembering your phone or wallet. Sanitation is also a priority.
"We want to get to the point where we can fog every train every night... expect those differences in the next 12 months or so." says Robert Powers, General Manager of BART.
One positive, agreed on by several agencies - That in their highly-regulated industry the pandemic has hastened the speed of getting things done.
RELATED: Total shutdown of Muni service might be best way to curb COVID-19 spread, Union President says
"A number of changes in a mater or days...and my staff is getting used to that kind of pace," says Rick Ramacier, General Manager of County Connection.
[Ads /]
A sentiment echoed by Tumlin.
"We can get about five years of work done in two months." He went on to say, "When we are forced to come together to solve problems we can get a tremendous amount of work done for the public with limited resources."
RELATED: Santa Clara Co. proposal would allow more employees to work from home after pandemic
There are also questions about the future of Casual Carpool in the Bay Area, as there are more than 20 pickup locations. Our request for comment was not received prior to deadline.
Also being discussed the impact of more workers staying at home even after the shelter in place rules are lifted completely.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
- COVID-19Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions