Fans of America’s Cup, Fleet Week, Music and Ball Games Encouraged to Use 511

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With numerous nautical, sporting and music events converging in San Francisco during the first week of October, traffic in and around San Francisco is expected to be heavier than normal. 511, the Bay Area’s one-stop traveler information service, is encouraging people to get out and have fun. 511 is poised to help residents and visitors learn about traffic conditions, plan a public transit trip, discover the best bicycle route to an event or learn about ridesharing. 511 is featuring a microsite (511.org/AmericasCup) to show people where to watch events for the America’s Cup and Fleet Week, and how to get there by bus, train, bike, car or on foot.

“511 is the reliable one-stop source for Bay Area transportation information during a busy week that includes the 34th America’s Cup, Fleet Week, football, baseball and music”

The 2012–13 America’s Cup World Series occurs from October 2-7 and overlaps with Fleet Week, which runs October 4-8. Additionally, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival takes place in Golden Gate Park October 5-7, the San Francisco 49ers play the Buffalo Bills at Candlestick Park on October 7 at 1:25 p.m., and dates and venues are pending for post-season San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s baseball games. People attending and watching the festivities and games are encouraged to plan ahead using 511’s online tools and features.

“511 is the reliable one-stop source for Bay Area transportation information during a busy week that includes the 34th America’s Cup, Fleet Week, football, baseball and music,” said Melanie Crotty, operations director for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “With 511’s tools and information on public transit, traffic, parking and bicycling, spectators can easily plan the best way to get to these exciting and popular events.”

America’s Cup events will extend along San Francisco’s northern waterfront, which can be accessed conveniently by public transit. Planning a trip to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park or a game at AT&T Park is easy using 511’s Popular Destinations tool or the new 511 SF Bay-Transit app available for the iPhone and Android. 511’s Transit page provides information about transit options to get to the events, including tools on how to plan a trip by transit, as well as real-time transit information, schedules, maps and fares.

In addition to regular service, San Francisco Muni, PresidiGo Shuttle, Golden Gate Transit and Ferry, and San Francisco Bay Ferry are offering special services during the America’s Cup. The 511 mircrosite, 511.org/AmericasCup features access to schedules, the 511 Transit Trip Planner, travel information for the airports and a helpful map for getting around the San Francisco waterfront.

To avoid congestion, America’s Cup spectators can ride their bikes and take advantage of free valet parking for bicycles at the Marina Green. 511 also features information about taking bikes on transit and bridges in addition to bicycle rentals. Visitors interested in walking can find information and maps to enjoy the waterfront or the views from the hills. All spectators are encouraged to plan ahead and visit 511.org/AmericasCup for details.

For those choosing to drive to any of the events, the 511 Traffic Map offers information on current traffic conditions and shows the best routes to avoid congestion. Drivers should be advised that San Francisco street closures may affect travel. Visit 511.org/AmericasCup to view a map of events and anticipated street closures throughout the week. Parking near the waterfront will be strictly managed to minimize local congestion, and visitors are encouraged to use specially designated America’s Cup parking lots. For other San Francisco parking lot information, including real-time parking availability, check out the 511 Parking page at parking.511.org.

For more information about transportation alternatives and how to get to America’s Cup and Fleet Week, visit 511.org/AmericasCup. For help on trip planning to all events, go to 511.org or go to the mobile site at m.511.org.

About 511

511 is a one-stop phone and web source for up-to-the-minute Bay Area traffic, transit, rideshare, bicycling and parking information. It’s free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the nine-county Bay Area. Call 511 or visit 511.org. 511 is managed by a partnership of public agencies led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Transportation.