Three candidates under consideration to fill District 5 vacancy following application process

Updated April 26, 2024.

The application period for the seat representing District 5 on the BART Board of Directors is now closed. The Board of Directors is expected to conduct interviews of applicants at its regular Board Meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00am. The Board of Directors may also appoint one of the applicants to fill the vacant seat at this meeting. The agenda for the May 9th Board Meeting will be posted on the District’s Board Agenda and Minutes webpage.

The following individuals submitted timely applications for the Board of Directors’ consideration:

  1. Bruce Delevaux
  2. Melissa Hernandez
  3. Gabriel Rodrigues

Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected]


Updated April 12, 2024

At the April 11, 2024 board meeting the BART Board of Directors approved a motion to move forward with filling the District 5 vacant seat using an appointment process. 

All interested applicants must complete and submit an application form and packet as outlined below. Application packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The application materials outlined below must be submitted to the Office of the District Secretary via email at [email protected] or in person/via courier at BART Headquarters, 2150 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612. 

Failure to complete all parts of the application form or to submit all required application materials may result in rejection of the application. All finalists are subject to a background check prior to appointment.

The Application Packet Includes:

  1. Application Form (download and fill it out)
  2. Background Check Form (download and fill it out)
  3. Cover Letter
  4. Resume
  5. Two (2) References

Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected]. We encourage all applicants to monitor the District’s Board Agenda and Minutes webpage to view agendas for upcoming Board Meetings.

Visit the District 5 Vacancy page for information and updates.

Applicants must be a registered voter and resident of the geographical boundaries of District 5. Eligibility can be verified by contacting the Alameda County Registrar of Voters located at 1225 Fallon Street, Rm. G-1, Oakland, CA 94612 (phone: 510-272-6973). You may review district boundaries on the District Boundaries webpage.

The successful applicant will serve as the representative for District 5 through the unexpired portion of the current term, which expires on December 6, 2024. If the appointed applicant wishes to continue serving on the Board of Directors after the current term for the seat representing District 5 expires, they must run for election to the seat in the general election to be held on November 5, 2024. The term of service for all newly elected Board Members is four years. Information about elections is posted on the Director Elections webpage.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are generally held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, duties include service on Board Committees, representing BART on various external Boards and Committees, and attendance at special meetings and other meetings as required. Board members that meet attendance requirements receive a monthly stipend of approximately $2,026.91. Board Members are also eligible to receive medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. We've posted other helpful links and resources below. 


On March 28, 2024, John McPartland announced he is resigning from the BART Board effective immediately. McPartland cited family matters as his reason for needing to step down from his elected position. McPartland’s current term was through December 6, 2024.

McPartland has served on the Board since he was elected in November 2008. Before joining the Board, McPartland was a BART Safety Specialist and a retired Oakland Fire Department Battalion Fire Chief. 

BART Board President Bevan Dufty announced the resignation at today’s Board meeting and noted he will put an item on the agenda of the next Board meeting on April 11, 2024, to discuss next steps. 

Due to the vacancy, the Board may appoint a Director to the District 5 seat by majority vote by May 27, 2024. If the Board does not make an appointment by May 27, 2024, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors may make an appointment by June 27, 2024.

Typically, when there is a vacancy, the Board may also opt to call for a special election to fill the seat, however due to the timing of the November 2024 election, this is not a practical option.

If there is an appointed District 5 Director they will serve until the expiration of the current term, which is December 6, 2024. If the District 5 Director wishes to continue serving in the seat through the next four-year term, they will be required to run for election to the seat on November 5, 2024.

The person appointed to the seat must be a resident of District 5 which includes Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and parts of Hayward and Unincorporated Alameda County. The BART stations include Castro Valley, Dublin/Pleasanton, Hayward, West Dublin/Pleasanton.

Questions related to next steps should be directed to BART Board President Bevan Dufty at [email protected].


This article was originally published March 28, 2024.