New Train Car Project: FAQ

Next-generation BART trains: The Fleet of the Future is being shaped now

FAQ: Next Generation BART Trains

A big thanks to those of you who have emailed comments about the next generation of BART train cars. Below are answers to the most frequent issues we've heard thus far. Click here to comment on the rail car program.

Q: Why can’t you save money by delaying the purchase of new cars, or refurbishing the existing cars?
A: BART's existing fleet is the oldest fleet among large domestic transit agencies, according to the American Public Transportation Association. See table below for comparisons: 

Over the next decade, BART train cars will continue to degrade and become more obsolete technologically. Most of the cars have already been overhauled, but are now approaching the end of their useful life. Many BART car components have weathered over a million miles of travel over the last four decades. If we don’t replace the BART fleet, trains will break down more often and create delays for BART riders. Also, the cost to maintain the old fleet of cars will become a larger and larger burden on BART’s annual operating budget, making BART less affordable for riders. Time is of the essence to get a production line in place to build the new cars. It will take 15 to 20 years to replace the entire fleet, so replacement costs will in fact be spread over several decades.

Q:  When will the new BART trains arrive?
A: The first ten train cars will arrive in 2015 for testing. In 2017 the first production train cars will go into service.  The last of the 775 new train cars will arrive in 2023.

Q: Will new seats and floors be cleaner than the ones you have now?
A: Yes, that’s the plan. We have heard loud and clear that most customers want seat upholstery and carpets removed in favor of easier-to-clean materials.

Q: Will you have open space to accommodate wheelchairs, luggage, and bikes? 
A: Yes, the current designs include designated spaces for wheelchairs and bikes. In addition, by popular demand, BART seats will be mounted higher off the floor on the new train cars, making the seats more comfortable and increasing the amount of space under the seats to stow luggage. Also, preliminary designs for the new fleet include open seating areas designed to accommodate riders who want to keep their luggage close to them, customers with strollers, and customers who want a little more legroom.

Q: Is it viable to have dedicated bike cars in set locations on BART trains?
A: No, BART cars are continuously coupled and uncoupled in between runs throughout the day. Therefore, it is not possible to keep a “bike car” in a predictable position on a train. Instead, the current design calls for a bike rack on each car to provide a predictable and convenient place to hold bikes during times when bikes are allowed on the trains.

Q: Will the new car have more places for shorter people to hold on?
A: Yes, BART plans to increase the number of poles, handholds, and/or hand straps to better meet the needs of those who cannot reach overhead stanchions, as well as elderly and disabled customers who have told us they want more handholds near the doors to avoid losing their balance as trains accelerate or decelerate.  Public feedback to date indicates that most riders prefer vertical poles, however the number, style, and location of poles has not yet been finalized, and a final design will need to address possible impacts on the ability of wheelchair users to enter and exit trains.

Q: Can we have digital screens that tell us what station is the next stop?
A: Yes, we plan to have digital screens on the new trains to enhance passenger information.

Q: Will the new cars be faster?
A: No. The new cars will still have a maximum speed of 80 miles per hour. To go faster than that, changes would need to be made, not only to the rail car propulsion systems, but also to other BART infrastructure. Still, the new cars will help reduce travel times by having more doors, which will reduce the time spent loading and unloading passengers at stations.

Q: Will the new cars be less noisy?
A: BART will be requiring the carbuilder to meet the highest standards in the United States regarding train car interior noise and noise absorption. BART is also working on ways to make the tracks quieter.  BART has recently invested in new track maintenance equipment to improve the condition of the track and reduce the screeching noise heard by riders and neighbors. BART has conducted a number of experiments with different wheel metals and sound dampeners, but has found track maintenance to be the most effective solution so far.

Q: Will the cars be "made in America" creating U.S. jobs?
A: Yes, final assembly of the car will take place in the United States and the cars will contain at least 2/3 American manufactured components. BART’s Board of Directors approved a first in the nation policy which gives “extra credit” in the bid process for for car builders to exceed the 60 percent level of domestic content required by Federal Buy America regulations, and each of the three final bidders responded to that incentive by increasing their US content above the federally-mandated 60%.

Q: Can BART require the new rail cars to be built locally, right here in the Bay Area?
A: No, federal contracting provisions prohibit BART from placing any requirements on where in the U.S. assembly must take place, or where parts must be manufactured.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2013