SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Day or night–commuters driving to and from the East Bay are facing heavy traffic that at times could last more than one hour.

Traffic jams at the Bay Bridge corridor are nothing new, but the Metropolitan Transportation Commission will implement new ways to get commuters out of the driver’s seat and into easing congestion.

The Bay Bridge can be a headache for commuters at all hours of the day, with more than 200,000 cars passing through.

“I’ve driven across the Bay Bridge in the morning before, and it’s just like your just sitting in traffic for like an hour and a half, and it’s not very fun,” driver Daniel Schrieber said.

So, Metropolitan Transportation Commission authorities are trying to bring that number down.

They approved $40 million Wednesday for a project to alleviate traffic between the city and the East Bay.

“The goal we have is to try to get more people across that Bay Bridge corridor in a short amount of time,” MTC spokesman Randy Rentschler said. “There have to be improvements to BART to really move a lot of people. But that’s going to take a while.”

So, to get going and avoid the wait, the MTC dedicated the funds to give more reasons for commuters to carpool.

“A lot of those cars out there, there’s an empty seat right next to the driver,” Rentschler said. “We want to fill those and give people an incentive to do so.”

MTC officials hope cameras at Bay Bridge carpool entrances will catch violators to ensure traffic flows faster.

The money will also fund more ferries that will operate at more hours of the day.

“I love the ferry,” commuter Kira Maritano said. “I think the ferry is a hidden gem of transbay commuting.”

Plus, a push for commuters to take the bus.

“And this way you can read,” Schrieber said. “You can do whatever you want, so it’s a much more relaxing enjoyable ride.”

The MTC is also working with local app makers like Carma to encourage casual carpool.

“I’d rather sit in the traffic in the comfort of my own car rather than sit with some stranger,” commuter Samir Hinn said.

The MTC will work on these advancements within the next year and a half.