Verizon Wireless offers traveler info. in San Francisco

OAKLAND, Calif.-Verizon Wireless activated its 511 traveler information service in the San Francisco Bay Area providing customers with current information on traffic conditions, routes, fares and schedules for more than 60 public transit and paratransit operations, carpooling/vanpooling and bicycling.

The service has been available for most landline customers and from many wireless carriers, including AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Cingular Wireless L.L.C., MetroPCS Inc., Nextel Communications Inc., Sprint PCS and T-Mobile USA Inc., since late last year and reportedly receives more than 40,000 calls per week.

Verizon Wireless noted calls are toll free, but customers will be charged for minutes used according to their wireless rate plans.