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Karl Petty of Orinda now has more time to catch up on his reading before his train to Berkeley.
That's because Karl can now pay for his BART fare and his daily parking fee with one smart card, the EZ Rider Card
Adding the parking function to the EZ Rider card has long been a goal of BART Board Member Gail Murray.
Gail Murray/BART Director
And so what I have a lot of complaints given to me about is the fact that people transpose their number and they come back and they have a parking ticket. This is going to solve that problem so I am very thrilled about it."
The EZ Rider card works a lot like a FastTrak....you have a balance on
it tied to a credit card or bank account. Each time you use it, money
is deducted from the account. And, once the balance goes below a
certain level, it's topped up again from your credit card or bank
account.
People who sign up for the EZ Rider parking program will get a hang
tag to display on their rear view mirror.
You'll be able to register for the program beginning November third.
Click on this https://ezrider.bart.gov
for a link to the EZ Rider Website.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
It's almost Thanksgiving, but BART already has its Thanksgiving plan.
BART will operate on a Sunday schedule Thanksgiving day.
That means trains will start operating at about 8 a.m.
On Friday November 28th, BART will operate on a weekday schedule.
Use BART's QuickPlanner to plan your trip.
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Take BART to Oakland International Airport: An Easy To Follow Guide
Oakland International Airport is a smart choice for Bay Area travelers, and combined with BART, it's a green, cost-effective and reliable choice too.
Just catch the AirBART shuttle.
Rosemary Barnes/Oakland International Airport
"It's extremely affordable and extremely easy to use."
Affordable as in just three dollars a ticket.
And easy to use?
Well, here's how.
Take BART to the Coliseum/Oakland
Airport Station and head downstairs, where you'll catch the AirBART shuttle bus.
But you will need exact change for the bus, or a BART ticket with three dollars value.
There aren't any change machines that provide single dollar bills, but you can use the ticket machine to buy a BART ticket for exactly three dollars.
You can also buy airBART tickets at the My Transit kiosk.
The AirBART bus stop is just outside the station.
AirBART makes the trip to the airport every 10 or 15 minutes.
Once you're on board, you're on your way.
In about fifteen minutes you'll be dropped off midway between the two terminals.
Before you know it, you'll be in the air.
"Our airport ranks in the top three to four in the nation for ontime arrivals and departures so you're guaranteed to arrive or depart on time."
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
BART Stops Where You Shop
Whether you're one of those who can't wait to get started on holiday shopping...
"I'm so excited! I can't wait for the tree lighting." »
or, like most of us....
"I just haven't started quite yet. That's going to be next week." and you're not quite ready.... BART will bring you to the doorstep of some of the Bay Area's best shopping.
BARTtv picked just three of the many shopping destinations to get you on your way.
First stop: Powell Street Station.
"I can get on BART and not have to go out in the rain to go to, say, Nordstrom in that center. It's easy and convenient."
CG: Karon Fields/Walnut Creek
Powell Street Station connects with the upscale shopping of Westfield's San Francisco Centre.
And the hustle and bustle of Union Square are just a couple of blocks away.
Take SOT Runs.. 0:00 .."
"My first time in the city was actually during the holidays and it just brings back those memories from freshman year. All my bags and my friends around me and everyone in the subway station, the BART station, has their bags and they're shopping too and the whole atmosphere is great."
Now let's head over to the East Bay.
A15646 07:24 to 07:31
CG: Anna Pekarek/Shopper
"I love this place. Why? I love Target."
Target is just one of the anchor stores at the Bayfair Center, which is connected to Bay Fair station by a short walkway.
CG: Gertie Williams/Hayward
"I live in Hayward and I take one stop and I'm at Bay Fair and there's all these stores. It's just so convenient and I feel so safe."
With over 50 shops, restaurants and more, you could spend an entire day at Bay Fair. But maybe you're looking for a more intimate shopping experience.
Mary Carpentier/Rockridge Market Hall
"This is based on a European style market feeling so you get your meat from one counter and your fish from another"
The Rockridge BART station is right across the street from College Avenue in Oakland, home to the Rockridge Market Hall and dozens of unique destinations for shoppers and foodies.
We've only scratched the surface. Find out more by clicking on http://www.mybart.org/destinations/
happy shopping!
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
Once again, BART is looking ahead to the holidays...no we're not getting our shopping done early...we're making more than 500 additional Airport/Long Term Parking permits available.
With our 96% ontime performance, BART's a can't miss way to get to the airport and it usually costs less than driving, taking a cab or paying for a shuttle or chauffer service.
"The biggest and the best chauffer service we have, according to our needs, would be public transportation."
The Airport/Parking Permit lets you stash your car at a BART station before you
"My friend Stephanie does that, she parks her car and then goes, you know, takes the train, BART, she does that."
The permit costs just five dollars a day at East Bay stations and six dollars a day on the Peninsula.
BARTtv has a step-by-step guide to buying a permit.
You can click on http://www.permit-sales.com/bart/ to reserve your permit.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
The KPFA Crafts and Music Fair has a been holiday highlight for decades now but this year, the fair's 38th, there's more to love.
"More live music, one hour more per day, from 11 to 6 we have live music."
The Creole Belles are just some of the musicians that will provide the soundtrack for the fair's fun December 13th and 14th.
It's the largest weekend holiday fine crafts fair in Northern California.
BARTtv got a sneak peek at some of the goods.
These unique clothes for women and men by Anja combine Bay Area style with Dutch practicality.
Anja/ANYA SF
"The dresses are new. Those are made from used fabrics, used t-shirts, used fabrics."
Looking for locally-made leather?
Sven Handbags of Berkeley is among the artisans selected by the fair's panel of judges.
Sally Phillips/KPFA Crafts & Music Fair
"We very carefully choose them for their integrity of their work, everything is handmade, we have a lot of eco friendly and eco conscious craftspeople as well."
You can go green by taking BART to the Civic Center BART station.
Catch a free shuttle bus at the intersection of 8th and Market.
The bus will take you to and from the Concourse Exhibition Center.
You can explore other ecofriendly transportation options at www.kpfa.org.
"KPFA is trying to really lead in havine more fair trade exhibitors, more non-profit people who are tabling and also crafts people woh are really walking their talk and living off the land and growing organic substances to make their body products, for example."
Click on the www.kpfa.org/craftsfair to see ticket prices and hours for the crafts and music fair. We've also included links to the artists featured in this story.
www.creolebelles.com
www.anyasf.com
www.svenhandbag.com
www.cressmanmusic.com
Jim Allison, BARTtv news.
Once again, BART is looking ahead to the holidays...no we're not getting our shopping done early...we're making more than 500 additional Airport/Long Term Parking permits available.
With our 96% ontime performance, BART's a can't miss way to get to the airport and it usually costs less than driving, taking a cab or paying for a shuttle or chauffer service.
"The biggest and the best chauffer service we have, according to our needs, would be public transportation."
The Airport/Parking Permit lets you stash your car at a BART station before you
"My friend Stephanie does that, she parks her car and then goes, you know, takes the train, BART, she does that."
The permit costs just five dollars a day at East Bay stations and six dollars a day on the Peninsula.
BARTtv has a step-by-step guide to buying a permit.
You can click on http://www.permit-sales.com/bart/ to reserve your permit.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Hola, soy Norma Lozano con un consejo de BART Smart.
Usuando su bicicleta en BART ahora dinero y es un metodo verde para viajar.
Para su seguridad y convenencia, use las guias de BART Smart.
No deje que las ruedas de su bicicleta cieren el paso a las puertas, asi los otros pasajeros podran entrar y salir del tren.
Trate de no bloqear los asientos y sea gentil a las personas mayores y a otros pasajeros que necesitan los asientos cerca de las puertas.
Verifique el horario de BART para ver las horas que los trenes estan mas ucupados y no se permiten bicicletas que no se doblan.
Las bicicletas que se doblan estan permititas entrar a los trenes a cualquier horario.
Encontrara toda la informacion sobre las reglas de bicicletas en nuestra sitio web www.BART.gov/bikes.
Norma Lozano, BARTtv News.
English Translation: Hi everyone, I am Vanessa Peng with a couple of BART Smart reminders that will make your BART trip more enjoyable for everyone.
Help keep BART clean by taking your litter with you.
Please recycle – you can find recycling bins for newspapers near most fare gates.
And, as a courtesy to your fellow passengers, please don’t eat or drink on the train.
Keep your feet off the seats.
Be BART Smart for everyone's sake.
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
English Translation: Hello everyone, I am Vanessa Peng with a BART Smart suggestion to help make everyone’s trip more pleasant.
Please be thoughtful when using your cell phone.
Avoid unnecessary calls but if you do need to use your phone, keep your voice down.
And please set your ringer to vibrate.
With these simple BART smart steps, everyone will be able to enjoy their ride.
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv news.
Hola, soy Norma Lozano y les tengo un consejo de BART Smart.
Usando BART para llegar al aeropuerto es una forma fantastica para viajar, especialmente con unas cortesias de BART Smart en mente.
Por favor mantenga su equipaje con usted en todo momento.
Por favor mantenga los pasillos y las puertas despejadas.
Y deje los asientos disponibles para los otros pasajeros.
Si le gusraria mas infromacion, por favor visite nuestro sitio web www.BART.gov/airport.
Norma Lozano, BARTtv News
BART Stops Where You Shop
Whether you're one of those who can't wait to get started on holiday shopping...
"I'm so excited! I can't wait for the tree lighting." »
or, like most of us....
"I just haven't started quite yet. That's going to be next week." and you're not quite ready.... BART will bring you to the doorstep of some of the Bay Area's best shopping.
BARTtv picked just three of the many shopping destinations to get you on your way.
First stop: Powell Street Station.
"I can get on BART and not have to go out in the rain to go to, say, Nordstrom in that center. It's easy and convenient."
CG: Karon Fields/Walnut Creek
Powell Street Station connects with the upscale shopping of Westfield's San Francisco Centre.
And the hustle and bustle of Union Square are just a couple of blocks away.
Take SOT Runs.. 0:00 .."
"My first time in the city was actually during the holidays and it just brings back those memories from freshman year. All my bags and my friends around me and everyone in the subway station, the BART station, has their bags and they're shopping too and the whole atmosphere is great."
Now let's head over to the East Bay.
A15646 07:24 to 07:31
CG: Anna Pekarek/Shopper
"I love this place. Why? I love Target."
Target is just one of the anchor stores at the Bayfair Center, which is connected to Bay Fair station by a short walkway.
CG: Gertie Williams/Hayward
"I live in Hayward and I take one stop and I'm at Bay Fair and there's all these stores. It's just so convenient and I feel so safe."
With over 50 shops, restaurants and more, you could spend an entire day at Bay Fair. But maybe you're looking for a more intimate shopping experience.
Mary Carpentier/Rockridge Market Hall
"This is based on a European style market feeling so you get your meat from one counter and your fish from another"
The Rockridge BART station is right across the street from College Avenue in Oakland, home to the Rockridge Market Hall and dozens of unique destinations for shoppers and foodies.
We've only scratched the surface. Find out more by clicking on http://www.mybart.org/destinations/
happy shopping!
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
Union Square is a BARTable Destination in the heart of San Francisco that's thoroughly modern and yet has been a centerpiece for as long as the city has existed.
"So this park was designated a park in 1847 when the streets were laid out and when San Francisco was just founded."
The square is a 2 and half acre plaza bordered with upscale shopping that draws both tourists and Bay Area residents, There's plenty to enjoy during summer months too, with free performances featuring a wide selection of entertainers.
"Anything from family entertainment to local performers to swing dancing, my personal favorite, to outdoor movies, which are truly fabulous."
Of course, during the holidays, Union Square is a shopper's paradise.
"It really is the first place I come to holiday shop, not only because I work here and it's convenient, but also because it really is the center of, not only fashion, retail, I mean you can find almost anything here."
And, it's just two blocks from here, the Powell Street station.
"And you can shop along the way, grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, or come and enjoy a free concert."
For more information click on http://www.unionsquarepark.us/
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
The Raiders are back in black and silver, and so are members of the Raiders nation - they're geared up to ride the BART rails to the games. Special Raiders flash passes allow BART passengers at the Coliseum/Oakland Airport Station to skip the lines at the fare gates and instead run for daylight through the swing gates. "I'm a letter carrier. I deliver mail. These legs know how to walk, you know what I mean?" » Once out of the station, it's a short walk to the Coliseum along a pedestrian bridge, no traffic backups and no exorbitant parking fees. "I take BART to Oakland simply because it's very convenient. The stop is right across the bridge. You just walk across the bridge and you're here. You dodge all the game day traffic." Besides the cost savings and convenience, some fans enjoy riding BART for the camraderie of rubbing shoulders with their fellow Raider nation members. "I mean it's the game after the game. That's what I love." "We clown all the way back home if they win. If they lose, we still have fun." BART runs extra trains during game days and always adds plenty of extra staff to help out. To plan your trip to the Coliseum, use the quickplanner on bart.gov. BART sells the flashpasses at Dublin/Pleasanton and Fremont stations on game days at ticket tables, which are usually up and running four hours before kickoff. Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
HI, IM VANESSA.
AND IM HERE AT THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO TALK ABOUT TRAINS NOT PLAINS: WHERE YOU CAN GO, HOW IT GOT HERE, AND EVEN WHERE ITS GOING.
WERE GOING TO EXPLORE A FEW THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW ABOUT BART LIKE THIS: DID YOU KNOW THAT IF A BART TRAIN WERE A CAR, IT WOULD GET 249 MILES PER GALLON?
THATS SIX TIMES MORE THAN EVEN THE BEST HYBRID.
Thats awesome, I wish my car got that much.
Well thats pretty incredible, thats really cool.
That’s cool…that’s better than a car.
Sounds pretty green!
OF COURSE, BART DOESNT EVEN RUN ON GAS IT RUNS ON ELECTRICITY. A SPECIAL PART ON THE TRAIN GETS THE ELECTRICITY FROM A 1000 VOLT THIRD RAIL.
AND WHERE DOES BART GET THAT JUICE? MOSTLY FROM HYDROELECTRICITY, POWER GENERATED BY WATER.
ITS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WHY BART IS SO GREEN.
SO IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN GLOBAL WARMING, RIDE BART, LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU TOOK BART INSTEAD OF DRIVING FOR A YEAR YOU WOULD REDUCE ENOUGH CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS TO FILL UP 28 BLIMPS.
AND, WITHOUT BART, THE NUMBER OF CARS ON THE BAY BRIDGE DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR WOULD DOUBLE FROM 30, 000 TO 60,000.
Gas is pretty high right now, so it’s more economical.
Anything that is not putting bad elements in the ozone, is good for the environment.
BART WAS THE GREEN WAY BEFORE IT WAS COOL! IN FACT, BART WAS IN SERVICE EVEN BEFORE YOU AND I WERE BORN!
AND YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW THIS: THESE SAME BART CARS THAT YOU RIDE IN TODAY WERE CARRYING KIDS WHO DRESSED LIKE THIS BACK IN 1972.
BUT, THE BEGINNINGS OF BART WERE EVEN EARLIER, STATE LAWMAKERS TOOK THE FIRST REAL STEP IN CONSTRUCTING BART IN 1957 WHEN THEY FORMED THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT.
RIGHT NOW THE DISTRICT CONSISTS OF
CONTRA COSTA, ALAMEDA AND SAN FRANCISCO COUNTIES.
VOTERS IN MARIN AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES DECIDED NOT TO BE PART OF THE SYSTEM.
IF YOUVE EVER TAKEN BART TO THE CITY AND YOUR EARS POPPED, CHANCES ARE YOU WERE GOING THROUGH THE TRANSBAY TUBE. THE TRANSBAY TUBE IS A 3.8 MILE LONG UNDERWATER TUBE THAT STRETCHES FROM OAKLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO. TAKING BART THROUGH THE TRANSBAY TUBE IS LIKE RIDING A SUPER FAST SUBMARINE!
NOW YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING, HOW DID BART BUILD THIS UNDERWATER TUBE? WELL, LETS TAKE A TRIP BACK INTO TIME TO THE LATE 60S.
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ACTUALLY BUILT THE TUBE ON LAND IN SECTIONS.
EACH OF THE FIFTY SEVEN TUBE SECTIONS IS LONGER THAN A FOOTBALL FIELD!
WHEN A TUBE WAS FINISHED, IT WAS TOWED OUT INTO THE BAY.
EACH TUBE SECTION WAS LOWERED BY GRAVEL INTO A SPECIALLY BUILT TRENCH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAY AND THEN THEY WERE ALL CONNECTED.
IN 1972, BART WAS READY TO CARRY ITS FIRST PASSENGERS.
IT WAS CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY, TRAINS CONTROLLED BY COMPUTERS.
YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW THIS, WHEN THE 6.9 MAGNITUDE LOMA PRIETA EARTHQUAKE HIT THE BAY AREA ON OCTOBER 17, 1989, BART KEPT RUNNING WITH BARELY ANY INTERRUPTIONS.
BUT, THE BAY BRIDGE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND DRIVERS COULDNT DRIVE ON IT FOR A MONTH.
DRIVERS WHO USUALLY TOOK THE BAY BRIDGE TO GET TO SAN FRANCISCO DEPENDED ON BART TO GET THEM FROM OAKLAND TO THE CITY.
FAST FORWARD TO RIGHT NOW. INSTEAD OF ASKING YOUR PARENTS FOR A RIDE, OR DRIVING YOUR PARENTS CAR, YOU CAN RIDE BART TO SOME AWESOME PLACES:
LIKE THE METREON IN SAN FRANCISCO. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TAKE A DALY CITY OR MLLBRAE BOUND TRAIN AND GET OFF AT THE POWELL STREET STATION. FROM THERE YOU JUST WALK TWO BLOCKS TO THE METREON. AT THE METREON YOU CAN CATCH A MOVIE, EAT, AND SHOP.
YOU CAN ALSO SHOP SOME MORE AT THE WESTFIELD SAN FRANCISCO CENTRE, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE POWELL STREET STATION.
THE SHOPPING CENTRE IS 4 STORIES HIGH, SO IMAGINE ALL THE STORES YOU CAN FIND COOL STUFF AT!
IN SAN FRANCISCO OTHER GREAT PLACES TO HANG OUT AT ARE PIER 39 AND FISHERMANS WHARF, YOU CAN WALK HERE FROM THERE BY WALKING FROM EMBARCADERO STATION OR, IF YOURE LAZY, YOU COULD ALWAYS TAKE THE STREET CAR.
IF YOU BOARD A RICHMOND BOUND TRAIN YOU CAN GET TO DOWNTOWN BERKELEY, WHERE THE FAMOUS TELEGRAPH STREET AND UC BERKELEY ARE LOCATED. AT TELEGRAPH YOU CAN BUY HANDMADE GOODS FROM STREET VENDORS AND EAT AT RESTAURANTS WITH FOOD FROM PLACES FAR AWAY FROM HERE. YOU CAN ALSO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE COLLEGE LIFESTYLE IF YOU VISIT THE BERKELEY CAMPUS.
AND EVEN BEFORE YOU HEAD TO COLLEGE, YOU CAN USE BART TO GET TO THE AIRPORT FOR YOUR SENIOR TRIP.
BART TAKES YOU RIGHT INTO SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL.
SO THIS BART TICKET COULD BE YOUR TICKET TO WILD ADVENTURE.
SPEAKING OF TICKETS, IF YOUR SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN THE TEEN X-TREEM PROGRAM YOU CAN GET COOL ORANGE BART TICKETS FOR HALF THE PRICE OF REGULAR BART TICKETS!
TO GET THESE TICKETS YOU SHOULD BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 18 AND TAKE BART ON THE WEEKDAYS FROM AND TO SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. IF YOUR SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN THE PROGRAM, ASK YOUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT GETTING TICKETS OR CHECK BART DOT GOV.
YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW THIS, BUT BARTS WEBSITE HAS TONS OF INFORMATION, INCLUDING STUFF ABOUT FUTURE PROJECTS.
SOMEDAY, YOU AND I WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO GET TO SAN JOSE ON BART.
BARTS WORKING TO GO EVEN FARTHER INTO EASTERN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, TOO.
AND IT WONT BE LONG BEFORE A NEW STATION OPENS IN WEST DUBLIN/PLEASANTON.
IT WILL BE BARTS 44TH STATION
44, WOW, THATS A LOT! AND WEVE COVERED A LOT OF INFORMATION. THE NEXT TIME YOU GET ON BART, YOU CAN SAY TO YOUR FRIENDS….YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW THIS, BUT…..
ANYWAY, IM VANESSA PENG. THANKS FOR LISTENING!
What do Shrek and the biblical Genesis have in common?
They are both powerful stories you can experience in new ways at the
Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco.
Connie Wolf/Contemporary Jewish Museum Director
"Here you can encounter alot of different things from contemporary installations by artists who just created them just for us as well as historical treasures and texts as early as the 13th century."
The museum's new location is on Mission between Third and Fourth Streets.
"We love our location. You can getoff at the Montgomery Street station, you can get off at the Powell Street station. We're right smack in the middle, so there's no excuse why people coming on BART can't just make a quick stop."
The museum itself is an eye-catching blend of the old and new.
A cube-like extension made of blue steel is married to an old power substation.
The architect was inspired by the fact the substation helped restore energy to the city following the 1906 earthquake.
"His idea was to take the Hebrew phrase "L'Chaim", to life, and because this was the building that gave life back to San Francisco and we want to be a museum that infuses life into Jewish culture and tradition."
You'll find fresh perspectives on that tradition in the exhibition "In the Beginning."
And, if that's all a little to mind-boggling for younger visitors, there's the work of William Steig.
"This is an exhibition for everybody and it is based on this wonderful illustrator, he worked just a mere 75 years at the New Yorker and also gave us the wonderful book called 'Shrek'"
For a list of current and future exhibitions, as well as hours and ticket information, click on http://www.thecjm.org/ .
The Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco is a BARTable destination connecting art, people and ideas.
"This is a place for everybody and we welcome you and encourage you to come again and again."
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
It's almost Thanksgiving, but BART already has its Thanksgiving plan.
BART will operate on a Sunday schedule Thanksgiving day.
That means trains will start operating at about 8 a.m.
On Friday November 28th, BART will operate on a weekday schedule.
Use BART's QuickPlanner to plan your trip.
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Now Showing on Virgin America Inflight Video: A Gude to BART
Hi. Thanks for flying Virgin America. My name is Joanie and I'm a member of the Guest Service Team in San Francisco. In a few minutes, you'll be landing in San Francisco, home of famous icons like the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars and the TransAmerica Tower. One of the cities best assets is Bay Area Rapid Transit or BART - a world class train system that can take you from San Francisco Airport to downtown San Francisco and around the Bay Area. To tell you how, here's Linton Johnson from BART.
Thanks, Joanie. Virgin America's gates are just a short walk away from the BART station and once onboard, you're only thirty minutes from downtown San Francisco and for a fraction of the cost of a taxi or a shuttle. Plus, taking BART is easy, it's more convenient, more reliable, and more relaxing than driving, not to mention better for the environment. Let me show you how. Once you're off the plane, follow the signs leading to baggage claim. You'll enter the terminal's main lobby. That's Virgin America's ticket counter on the far end. If you've got checked baggage to pick up, just go down this escalator here. However, if you want to go directly to BART, just walk to the end of the terminal next to the next art display, then turn left. If you are claming bags, this is that escalator that we were telling you to come down. Just look for baggage claim number nine. All bags for Virgin America come here. Once you've grabbed your bags, come back into the terminal and then turn right and walk to the end of the terminal and look for the signs for BART. At the top of the escalator, look for the BART signs straight ahead. The BART station is on your left and you can't miss the revolving door. Alright, before you get on the train, let me help you get familiar with our system maps. If you're here at the San Francisco International Airport station, to get downtown, you need to get to one of four stations: Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery or Embarcadero. Take any train to downtown San Francisco. The cost is just $5.35 one way. Buying a BART ticket is as easy as 1-2-3. First, you begin by putting your money in the machine. The next step is to decide how much value you want on the ticket. We recommend buying a round trip ticket for $10.70. We put $11.00, so we're going to subtract thirty cents. And finally, you'll want to print your $10.70 ticket. After you buy your ticket, go to a faregate with a green arrow and put your ticket in the slot in the front, then grab the ticket when it pops out on top. Alright, here's a tip. Our tickets can get easily demagnetized, so, keep them away from electronics, especially mobile phones or anything made with a magnet. Have a seat and you'll be in San Francisco in thirty minutes. If your hotel is near Union Square, get off the train at Powell Street. There are two main exits from the station. For Union Square hotels, use the Plaza exit. The escalator will take you right to the cable car stop. The St. Francis, Villa Florence, Sir Francis Drake and Hyatt Union Square hotels are just a few blocks up Powell. The Parc 55, Hilton, Hotel Nikko and Handlery are also nearby. If your hotel is the Marriott, use the 4th Street exit, follow the escalator and you'll be a half a block from the Marriott and across the street from the Mosser. Montgomery Street is the station right after Powell. Use this station if you're going to the Moscone Center, the Sheraton Palace, Westin and the W and Financial District hotels. The next stop and the last San Francisco station is Embarcadero, which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency and a block from the waterfront. To get up to the Hyatt Regency and Fisherman Wharfs hotels from the Embarcadero station, just follow these signs to Drumm Street. Take the escalator up and you're a few steps from the Hyatt Embarcadero. To get to Fisherman's Wharf, take a taxi from the Hyatt. If you're going beyond Embarcadero to the East Bay, you'll travel under the bay to Berkeley, Oakland and other East Bay cities. If you're planning to venture father for business meetings, or to the wine country, no need to rent a car at the airport, many business or leisure travelers take BART to their hotel and rent a car on the day they need it. We hope you make your trip on BART part of your Bay Area experience and thanks to Virgin America for making us one of its green business partners. Welcome to San Francisco everyone. I'm Linton Johnson. Thanks for watching.
Got a handful of these quarter-sized dollar coins and don't know what to do with them? Well, you can use them to buy your next BART ticket. Vanessa Peng/BARTtv News: " ALL BART ticket machines now accept quarter size dollar coins, including the prsidential series." Put your president to work for you... on BART. Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
The eBART train enters the Pittsburg/Bay Point Station. A BART train headed for San Fransico is already waiting at the platform."
This is a vision of the future for eBART, the project to extend BART service farther into east Contra Costa county. By the way, the "e" in eBART stands for East.
Ellen Smith/eBART Project Manager
"It's part of offering people options so that people who live in east county can go to jobs more effectively."
BART has just released the Draft Environmental Impact Report, which describes the project in detail. You can comment on the Draft EIR at two public hearings. Click on this link for hearing dates and locations.
www.ebartproject.org
One of the major features of the draft report is the plan to use of diesel multiple unit or d-m-u technology instead of classic BART, cutting the cost of the extension by about half.
While the trains are powered by diesel, they are still an environmentally friendly option for commuters, especially compared to solo driving.
"We will be able to carry in one eBART train as many as 200 cars with 96% less CO2 emissions"
eBART would run along the median of Highway 4 to Antioch in phase one.
BART has secured virtually all of the funding for the approximately $500 million project. BART hopes to begin eBART service in 2015.
"After three minutes, the doors close, and the train departs from Pittsburg/Bay Point Station."
Linton Johnson, BARTtv News.
EZ Rider Parking Available Soon
BART riders will soon have an easier, high tech way to pay for parking.
They'll be able to use their EZ Rider smart cards to pay for parking
as well as for their BART fares.
Orinda will be the first station to feature the parking validation
machines that will accept EZ rider cards. it starts here on November
10th.
These machines will then be phased in at 14 other stations.
The EZ Rider card works a lot like a FastTrak....you have a balance on
it tied to a credit card or bank account. Each time you use it, money
is deducted from the account. And, once the balance goes below a
certain level, it's topped up again from your credit card or bank
account.
People who sign up for the EZ Rider parking program will get a hang
tag to display on their rear view mirror.
You'll be able to register for the program beginning November third.
Click on https://ezrider.bart.gov/ezrider/ to get to the EZ Rider
Website.Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Take BART to Oakland International Airport: An Easy To Follow Guide
Oakland International Airport is a smart choice for Bay Area travelers, and combined with BART, it's a green, cost-effective and reliable choice too.
Just catch the AirBART shuttle.
Rosemary Barnes/Oakland International Airport
"It's extremely affordable and extremely easy to use."
Affordable as in just three dollars a ticket.
And easy to use?
Well, here's how.
Take BART to the Coliseum/Oakland
Airport Station and head downstairs, where you'll catch the AirBART shuttle bus.
But you will need exact change for the bus, or a BART ticket with three dollars value.
There aren't any change machines that provide single dollar bills, but you can use the ticket machine to buy a BART ticket for exactly three dollars.
You can also buy airBART tickets at the My Transit kiosk.
The AirBART bus stop is just outside the station.
AirBART makes the trip to the airport every 10 or 15 minutes.
Once you're on board, you're on your way.
In about fifteen minutes you'll be dropped off midway between the two terminals.
Before you know it, you'll be in the air.
"Our airport ranks in the top three to four in the nation for ontime arrivals and departures so you're guaranteed to arrive or depart on time."
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Now Showing on Virgin America Inflight Video: A Gude to BART
Hi. Thanks for flying Virgin America. My name is Joanie and I'm a member of the Guest Service Team in San Francisco. In a few minutes, you'll be landing in San Francisco, home of famous icons like the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars and the TransAmerica Tower. One of the cities best assets is Bay Area Rapid Transit or BART - a world class train system that can take you from San Francisco Airport to downtown San Francisco and around the Bay Area. To tell you how, here's Linton Johnson from BART.
Thanks, Joanie. Virgin America's gates are just a short walk away from the BART station and once onboard, you're only thirty minutes from downtown San Francisco and for a fraction of the cost of a taxi or a shuttle. Plus, taking BART is easy, it's more convenient, more reliable, and more relaxing than driving, not to mention better for the environment. Let me show you how. Once you're off the plane, follow the signs leading to baggage claim. You'll enter the terminal's main lobby. That's Virgin America's ticket counter on the far end. If you've got checked baggage to pick up, just go down this escalator here. However, if you want to go directly to BART, just walk to the end of the terminal next to the next art display, then turn left. If you are claming bags, this is that escalator that we were telling you to come down. Just look for baggage claim number nine. All bags for Virgin America come here. Once you've grabbed your bags, come back into the terminal and then turn right and walk to the end of the terminal and look for the signs for BART. At the top of the escalator, look for the BART signs straight ahead. The BART station is on your left and you can't miss the revolving door. Alright, before you get on the train, let me help you get familiar with our system maps. If you're here at the San Francisco International Airport station, to get downtown, you need to get to one of four stations: Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery or Embarcadero. Take any train to downtown San Francisco. The cost is just $5.35 one way. Buying a BART ticket is as easy as 1-2-3. First, you begin by putting your money in the machine. The next step is to decide how much value you want on the ticket. We recommend buying a round trip ticket for $10.70. We put $11.00, so we're going to subtract thirty cents. And finally, you'll want to print your $10.70 ticket. After you buy your ticket, go to a faregate with a green arrow and put your ticket in the slot in the front, then grab the ticket when it pops out on top. Alright, here's a tip. Our tickets can get easily demagnetized, so, keep them away from electronics, especially mobile phones or anything made with a magnet. Have a seat and you'll be in San Francisco in thirty minutes. If your hotel is near Union Square, get off the train at Powell Street. There are two main exits from the station. For Union Square hotels, use the Plaza exit. The escalator will take you right to the cable car stop. The St. Francis, Villa Florence, Sir Francis Drake and Hyatt Union Square hotels are just a few blocks up Powell. The Parc 55, Hilton, Hotel Nikko and Handlery are also nearby. If your hotel is the Marriott, use the 4th Street exit, follow the escalator and you'll be a half a block from the Marriott and across the street from the Mosser. Montgomery Street is the station right after Powell. Use this station if you're going to the Moscone Center, the Sheraton Palace, Westin and the W and Financial District hotels. The next stop and the last San Francisco station is Embarcadero, which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency and a block from the waterfront. To get up to the Hyatt Regency and Fisherman Wharfs hotels from the Embarcadero station, just follow these signs to Drumm Street. Take the escalator up and you're a few steps from the Hyatt Embarcadero. To get to Fisherman's Wharf, take a taxi from the Hyatt. If you're going beyond Embarcadero to the East Bay, you'll travel under the bay to Berkeley, Oakland and other East Bay cities. If you're planning to venture father for business meetings, or to the wine country, no need to rent a car at the airport, many business or leisure travelers take BART to their hotel and rent a car on the day they need it. We hope you make your trip on BART part of your Bay Area experience and thanks to Virgin America for making us one of its green business partners. Welcome to San Francisco everyone. I'm Linton Johnson. Thanks for watching.
When there's a problem that causes major BART delays, for instance something serious enough that requires track crews to work right alongside trains, word usually travels fast.
"My sister called me this morning and said there's a big fire in West Oakland"
But not everyone gets the message.
Scott Schreiber was surprised to arrive at West Oakland Station only to find BART recovering from an earlier trackside electrical problem.
Scott Schreiber/BART Rider
"Every morning I check the tv, the news, weather, what's going on but I didn't hear anything this morning, although I could have missed it, but what I did see, I didn't see anything."
Instead of relying on the media, Scott could have received the message in a BART Service Advisory, or BSA, sent to his email.
"I keep an eye on my email, I check it, I need to know because I ride every day so I would definitely sign up for that."
While technicians were busy replacing critical fuses to fix the electrical problem, communications specialists were sending out B-S-A's.
BART's goal is to send out B-S-A's whenever multiple trains are off schedule by 10 minutes or more.
You can see BSA's on BART's main website, in an RSS feed or on BART's wireless website if you're using a BlackBerry or other smartphone,
Roselyn Guerrier/BART Rider
"If they want to text me that's fine too because I have my cell phone with me 24/7 and I check my phone every five minutes."
Matt Fabel/BART Rider
"That way I don't have to take time to turn on the radio or go on the internet in the morning. I can just basically get an alert on my phone and basically tell what's going on."
Just click on http://www.bart.gov/news/alerts/index.aspx .
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
As A's fans hurry to the Coliseum for a ballgame, they may not realize they're in the presence of another winning team: the BART - Capitol Corridor team.
It's a team that connects the Bay Area to Sacramento and beyond.
Here at the Coliseum, the Capitol Corridor station is linked to BART via the footbridge.
And in Richmond, the transit center also makes a BART-Capitol Corridor transfer a breeze.
"Javonni Gilliam/Richmond:
Either way, it's just a good choice. I have neighbors that commute as far as Sacramento so it's very convenient." The station improvements that were highlighted at this ribbon cutting have cut down on transfer time.
"David Kutrosky/Capitol Corridor Deputy Director:
Now we put in a center aisle platform which passengers just take an elevator or stairs, get off the trains and they're there right in front of the fare gates." These Capitol Corridor riders can have their BART tickets in hand even before they leave their seat.
"David Kutrosky/Capitol Corridor Deputy Director: On our train we do sell discounted BART tickets and with those you don't have to wait in line. It's a great transfer. It's about a two minute transfer."
In fact, discounted BART tickets are one of the top sellers in the cafe cars.
Capitol Corridor riders can also get free transfer tickets other transit systems, like Sacramento's light rail line, which is great if you're headed to the state capital complex.
For more information on the BART-Capitol Corridor team, click on http://www.capitolcorridor.org/
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
Maybe you've seen this video.
It gives new meaning to the phrase "when push comes to shove."
Thank goodness BART isn't this crowded.
But BART trains are frequently standing room only during the peak commute hours these days.
Ridership has never been higher.
So passengers often ask, "why aren't there more 10 car trains?"
Tamar Allen/Chief Mechanical Officer:
"Our ridership's gone up, we've enriched our service to keep up with ridership demands and we don't own enough cars."
To run a typical peak morning commute, BART needs 579 of its 669 car fleet.
The other 90 cars are in the shop.
"Just like your automobile where every 5,000 miles you have to change the oil. We have to bring the cars in at regular time intervals to do safety checks on them and change the oil, lubricate them and make sure everything is in good working order."
Some of the cars are also in the shop for planned modifications, like the new hard surface floors.
The percentage of cars in service is at least ten percent higher than the transit industry norm, so BART is getting the most out of its finite resources.
"We're also running a 110,000 miles per car on our fleet, which is a lot of hours, which also requires that we do more maintenance and more safety inspections of the fleet. To put that into perspective for you, norm in the industry is 69,000 and below."
BART simply can't go out and buy five or ten cars here and there.
BART cars are custom-designed to be strong, but very light and efficient so BART can't buy them "off-the-shelf." .
But there are plans to replace the entire fleet.
"We're hoping, if we can secure the funding, and it's $2.5 billion, that we would be into production by 2016. That's on a schedule with considerable pressure towards speeding it up."
Speaking of pressure, you won't find anything like this scene on BART no matter how crowded it gets ...but you can help make a smoother trip for everyone on crowded trains by following guidelines for courtesy and safety, such as moving to the center of the car to make room for riders getting on, not holding the train doors open,
following rules for bicycles and preparing to exit as the train nears your destination.
For more answers to your train-length questions, click on http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2008/news20080924a.aspx
Jim Allison, BARTtv News
Karl Petty of Orinda now has more time to catch up on his reading before his train to Berkeley.
That's because Karl can now pay for his BART fare and his daily parking fee with one smart card, the EZ Rider Card
Adding the parking function to the EZ Rider card has long been a goal of BART Board Member Gail Murray.
Gail Murray/BART Director
And so what I have a lot of complaints given to me about is the fact that people transpose their number and they come back and they have a parking ticket. This is going to solve that problem so I am very thrilled about it."
The EZ Rider card works a lot like a FastTrak....you have a balance on
it tied to a credit card or bank account. Each time you use it, money
is deducted from the account. And, once the balance goes below a
certain level, it's topped up again from your credit card or bank
account.
People who sign up for the EZ Rider parking program will get a hang
tag to display on their rear view mirror.
You'll be able to register for the program beginning November third.
Click on this https://ezrider.bart.gov
for a link to the EZ Rider Website.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Once again, BART is looking ahead to the holidays...no we're not getting our shopping done early...we're making more than 500 additional Airport/Long Term Parking permits available.
With our 96% ontime performance, BART's a can't miss way to get to the airport and it usually costs less than driving, taking a cab or paying for a shuttle or chauffer service.
"The biggest and the best chauffer service we have, according to our needs, would be public transportation."
The Airport/Parking Permit lets you stash your car at a BART station before you
"My friend Stephanie does that, she parks her car and then goes, you know, takes the train, BART, she does that."
The permit costs just five dollars a day at East Bay stations and six dollars a day on the Peninsula.
BARTtv has a step-by-step guide to buying a permit.
You can click on http://www.permit-sales.com/bart/ to reserve your permit.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
EZ Rider Parking Available Soon
BART riders will soon have an easier, high tech way to pay for parking.
They'll be able to use their EZ Rider smart cards to pay for parking
as well as for their BART fares.
Orinda will be the first station to feature the parking validation
machines that will accept EZ rider cards. it starts here on November
10th.
These machines will then be phased in at 14 other stations.
The EZ Rider card works a lot like a FastTrak....you have a balance on
it tied to a credit card or bank account. Each time you use it, money
is deducted from the account. And, once the balance goes below a
certain level, it's topped up again from your credit card or bank
account.
People who sign up for the EZ Rider parking program will get a hang
tag to display on their rear view mirror.
You'll be able to register for the program beginning November third.
Click on https://ezrider.bart.gov/ezrider/ to get to the EZ Rider
Website.Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Hi Everyone, I'm Malou Nubla.
Buying a BART Airport/Long Term Parking Permit combines the best of both worlds for travelers.
You can drive your car to a BART station and park inexpensively for a multi-day trip while getting the reliability and convenience of taking BART to San Francisco or Oakland International Airports.
The Airport/Long Term parking permit allows you to keep your car at the BART station past the 24-hour time limit without getting a ticket.
We're going to show you how to buy this permit, which is now available for selected stations on the Peninsula as well as some East Bay stations.
The first thing to remember is that you can only buy your permit in advance - you cannot buy it at the BART station.
Just log on to BART.gov, click on the Parking Options icon and follow the prompts.
Look for the Airport/Long Term Parking section.
You select a station where you'd like to park and the dates you'll be travelling.
You'll pay six dollars a day to park at Peninsula stations and five dollars a day to park at East Bay stations.
After providing your license plate and payment information, print out your permit.
Park your car in a Monthly Reserve lot, put the permit on the dashboard and you're on your way!
For more information, see the Parking at BART section of BARTtv.
Malou Nubla, BARTtv News.
Hi everyone, I’m Malou Nubla. BART charges parking at some of the busiest stations and then uses that money to maintain the high quality of service you expect and deserve so, we’re going to show you how to pay for your parking, because if you don’t pay, you’ll likely get a ticket from BART police.
The first thing to know is the difference between daily fee and permit parking. Permit parking is for riders who have bought a permit before arriving at the station. You can buy a permit online for the day, for the month, or even for an out of town trip. You’re guaranteed a parking space until 10 a.m.
The fee parking areas are first come, first served. If you park here, you can pay by following a few simple steps.
First, make a mental note of your parking space number, because you pay for your parking at the station, not at the lot.
If you have a regular blue BART ticket, go through the faregates and find the addfare/parking validation machine.
Put your ticket in the machine, enter your parking space number, and follow the prompts
The other way to pay for your parking is cash only. Follow the prompts and put your money in the machine.
Now if you’re using a red or green ticket, cash is the only way to pay for your ticket.
Parking.
For more information, log on to bart.gov. Malou Nubla, BARTtv News.
An out-of-the ordinary ribbon cutting for an out-of the ordinary technology.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"So the concept is basically a parking meter with a locker attached."
A locker where you can safely store your bike on a pay-as-you go basis.
There are now 40 of these electronic Bike Link lockers at MacArthur Station, where BART hosted ribbon cutting and promotional giveaway.
Tom Radulovich/BART Board Director
"I am actually very pleased to be here today. I think this is yet another step in BART's commitment to becoming much more bike friendly."
Lynette Sweet/BART Board Director
"We're excited about this new system because this new technology is efficient, easy to use, secure and affordable."
MacArthur is one of eight stations that's had the electronic lockers installed in the first phase of this multi-phase project.
Tom Radulovich/BART Board Director
"These are a part of the first group of lockers. We have 202 lockers that are gonna go in, mostly I think in East Bay stations. Then there's another group following along behind them."
BART plans to have about 900 electronic lockers installed by 2012 thanks to grants from several groups.
These new electronic are replacing the old key lockers at many BART stations because they give more people a chance to use them.
A single electronic locker can be rented by five cyclists in a week.
The key lockers were available to just one renter on a yearly or quarterly basis.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"You're serving a lot more cyclists with less footprint."
The electronic lockers are perfect for someone like Rochelle Wheeler.
Rochelle Wheeler/BikeLink User
"I commute on bike to BART about maybe once to three times a week."
Rochelle paid $20 for a bike link card and now has a place to stash her bike and more at North Berkeley.
Rochelle Wheeler/BikeLink User
"I can take off my helmet and my gloves and my light and I can put them all in the locker with my bike so I don't have to lug those things around during the day."
Rochelle enters plenty of time on the meter to cover the time she will be using the locker. The electronic locker then deducts 3 cents an hour from the balance on her card. When she returns the eLocker calculates how much time was used and refunds any extra time back to her card.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"You can use your BikeLink card at Caltrain, at San Jose city hall..."
Click on www.bikelink.org for a map of locations and details on how you can get your card.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"BikeLink is all about trying to make it easier for you to use your bike to get to transit and use it for errands."
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Alan Hu/Folding Bike Owner
Folding bikes are a very real, very practical solution to some of today's problems."
Alan Hu is fond of folding bikes and he's not alone.
With the last year or so, with gas prices, we've seen a huge increase in folding bikes, again because folding bikes are so compatible with the commute."
Because folding bikes are becoming more popular and because they're allowed on any BART train at any time, BARTtv went to Fruitvale Bike Station for some tips on buying a folder.
Joy Franco/Alameda Bicycle
First thing you definitely want to look for is how easy the bike is to fold up"
Joy Franco of Alameda Bicycle says the more hinges, the more folding you'll be doing.
She says finding a stable bike is also important, but be careful about getting a bike that's too heavy.
If you're carrying it up and down some BART stairs, the last thing you want to do is have some 50 pound beast that you're lugging over your shoulder."
Other factors Joy suggests you consider: fenders and a rack for commuting convenience, tires designed for urban streets and a simple set of gears.
Of course, price is always a consideration.
Joy says you don't need to go break the bank but it's not wise to buy the most inexpensive folder you can find either.
Something in about the 5 to 600 dollar range is going to be a solid bike, no warranty issues, something that's going to last a long time."
For more information, click www.foldingcyclist.com.
And if you're not yet ready to invest in a folder, don't forget you can securley store your conventional bike for free at three bike station locations, including here at Fruitvale Bike station.
It's open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cheryl Stalter, BARTtv News
BART Smart Tips for Bicyclists in Chinese
English Translation: Hello everyone, I am Vanessa Peng with a BART Smart tip.
Using your bicycle on BART is a cost effective and green way to get around.
For your safety and convenience, use a few BART Smart guidelines.
Keep the wheels clear of the door so other passengers can enter and exit the train.
Try not to block seats and be courteous to seniors and other passengers that need seats near the door
Check the BART schedule for the busiest times when non-folding bikes aren’t allowed on trains.
Folding bikes are allowed any time.
You'll find all the bike rules on our website at www.BART.gov/bikes.
I am Vanessa Peng for BARTtv News.
It didn't matter what kind of wheels you used -if any.... just as long as it wasn't a pair of these.
Amber Hoffmann Energizer Station Volunteer: "Today is bike to work day!"
"Good morning! Thanks for biking to work!"
We're celebrating biking to work and I hear it's also a spare the air day so that's exciting as well."
On the 15th Annual Bike to work day, thousands of Bay Area residents chose to ride to work rather than drive. The North Berkeley BART station was one of several "Energizer Stations" set up along the commute route, where bicyclists could stop to refuel.
"We have coffee from Peets and muffins."
Tune up.
"Good as new now."
And get a little exercise
"I bike to work every day."
Jim Durkin rides from his El Cerrito home to the Rockridge Station and then BARTs to his Walnut Creek office.
Jim Durkin/Bike Rider: "It's a little over seven miles. I basically treat it as my workout."
Some just wanted to show their support for pedal power.
Sybil Hatch/Bike Rider: " I actually work from home so I had to make an extra trip to come down here. It's a real important event I think."
Amber Hoffman/REI : " It's exciting and new and they"re really happy that it's happening."
Bike to BART. BART to work and everyone is happy. Check out www.BART.gov/bikes. for bike rules and regulations and make everyday a bike to work day.
Cheryl Stalter, BARTtv News.
Bikes are freedom.
That says it all for Charlise Hyatt.
Charlise Hyatt/Bike Commuter
Well, i love cycling. i've been cycling for about five years."
Charlise rides a bike to the Pleasant Hill BART Station on her way to work in the city.
But not just any bike.
She rides a folding bike.
With just a few steps, Charlise transforms her ride into a portable carry-on.
Unlike a traditional bike rider, Charlise is able to take her folding bike up the escalator.
And, most important, Charlise can bring her bike on any train at any time because the folders don't take up as much space as traditional bikes.
"For me, working in the city with a normal nine to five job the blackout times don't work so the folidng bike is a great option."
If Charlise makes it all look so easy, well, maybe that's because she actually takes pleasure in getting to work.
"Number one, I get to do the thing I enjoy most in the morning. Number two, there's no better way to get to work than by bike. I don't have to sit in traffic."
Once Charlise gets to Embarcadero, she's on the street and unfolding her bike in no time.
A click of the helmet, ring of the bell, and she's on her way.
The folding bike phenomenon is attracting more and more people like Charlise despite the bike's non-traditional appearance.
"They look sort of goofy and truth be told i sort of feel goofy on it but they're actually very sturdy and i feel very safe on it."
For more on bikes on BART, go to www.BART.gov/bikes.
Jim Allison, BARTtv news.
"Getting all set for the holidays?"
It's the holday shopping season, and everyone is busy - including thieves.
"Look who's looking over your shoulder."
BART police officer Michael Maes and his colleagues are on patrol 24/7.
Even so, it's a sad fact of life: criminals will take advantage of easy targets.
Officer Michael Maes/BART Police: "People will look for things that are left unattended, unsecured."
Here are some tips from BART police that will help fend off grinches who might want to steal holiday goodies:
Stay alert and keep your shopping bags close by.
Shop with a friend - it's more fun than going it alone.
Consider using just one credit or debit card instead of carrying a stack of plastic or a roll of cash.
And, if you're on a shopping spree, combine all your bags from high-end stores into one sturdy plain-jane type bag.
" Between the store and home we don't need to let everybody else know where you've been."
Now, if you need to reach BART police, call them toll free at 877-679-7000 or (510) 464-7000.
" Both numbers are manned 24 hours a day."
With these common sense tips and the help of BART police, your shopping can be fun and safe.
"Spend your time shopping don't spend your time looking for parking."
Stay tuned for another BARTtv story on BARTable shopping destinations. Afterall, we stop where you shop.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Escalators are workhorses.
They pull you up...or take you down...and you probably don't give them much of a second thought.
But they do deserve a little respect, especially when it comes to safety.
Dave Sanborn/BART Safety Dept.:
"It is a machine, it has no brain, it doesn't know what it's doing except getting people up and down, so please use it properly."
Using it properly includes following some common-sense guidelines.
The main thing for you to remember is that escalators are meant to transport people, not strollers, wheelchairs or bikes.
"Number one, the bicycles can run away and city hit other passengers, they get wedged in between the sides of the escalators and have rapid stops of the escalators."
Bikes and other wheeled devices belong on elevators, which you'll find at each of the 43 BART stations.
And if you're not on a bike or in a wheelchair, there are still things you can do to stay safe on an escalator.
"We ask everybody to hold on, not to rush, let the escalator do its job get them between floors, and then exit safely and move out of the way to so other people can also exit."
It's a common courtesy to stand to the right, allowing other passengers to walk up the escalator if they wish.
And if you see someone doing something unsafe on an escalator, don't confront them yourself.
"It would be better to just to point it out to one of our personnel and they've been trained to handle that situation."
You'll find more safety tips by clicking http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2008.aspx
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
BART Buys More Security Cameras
At a recent news conference, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office of Homeland.Security handed BART a mock $5.4 million check to spend on new security cameras.
CAROLE WARD ALLEN/BART DIRECTOR & BART SECURITY COMMITTEE CHAIR:We appreciate your support in cutting through the red tape to quickly get the money to transit agencies like BART. Needless to say, BART needs the money and we plan to use it well.
While the symbolic check may have been fake, the money is most certainly for real -money that will help protect passengers like Phoenix Jackson.
PHOENIX JACKSON/OAKLAND RIDER: People want to be able to walk to their cars safely, people want to be able to ride the train or stand on the platform without fear.
LYNETTE SWEET/BART BOARD PRESIDENT: Since 9/11, we have spent $46 million on enhancing our security. So far we've been reimbursed about $20 million. BART has identified $250 million dollars in needed security upgrades. The list includes everything from more bomb sniffing dogs and police officers, to radiological, biological and chemical weapon detectors. But one of the most urgent needs is cameras.
LINTON JOHNSON: BART has at least one camera in every single station and this $5.4 million will help to go buy more cameras as well as improve the existing camera network. For security reasons, BART doesn't talk about how many cameras its going to buy with that $5.4 million or where those cameras are going to go.
LYNETTE SWEET/BART BOARD PRESIDENT: Actually, there will only be a very few people within the BART world that will know this information, but what we can say is the money will go a very long way in making our riders safer than they are today.Safer because not only can the cameras deter crime or terrorist activity...the Governor's Office says the cameras can also assist BART should an incident happen.
MATTHEW BETTENHAUSEN/DIRECTOR, CA OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY: In terms of response, when you have an incident, the ability for the command and control and for the operational center to get live feeds of what is going on so they can effectively direct a response is critical to saving lives.The $5.4 million is coming from Proposition 1B revenues - that's the nearly $20 billion bond measure voters approved a year ago.
CAROLE WARD ALLEN/BART DIRECTOR & BART SECURITY COMMITTEE CHAIR: Because there is no way passenger fares can cover the cost, so any money that we can get from outside sources such as Prop 1B funds really goes a long way to helping us fulfill our needs.And a long ways for passengers like Michael Moser who believes the cameras will make his rider safer.
MICHAEL MOSER/WALNUT CREEK RIDER: When I take BART, it's usually for work and the more security, all the better.
Linton Johnson, BARTtv News.
A horizontal high rise with limited exits.
That's how a Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief describes BART.
BART presents some unique challenges for the emergency responders in the 26 cities through which it runs.
"One, you've got communication challenges just above ground to below ground."
That's why this joint BART- Berkeley Fire Department Drill is so critical to passenger safety.
"Drilling is the heartbeat of a fire department."
The scenario is a fire on a train.
Two passengers are injured.
Berkeley firefighters must put out the fire and evacuate the injured to safety.
Just getting to the scene takes teamwork and planning.
"You've got a mile between stations that you might have to walk one direction or the other."
There's little room to maneuver and no time to spare.
" You've got to deal with conditions of ventilation down there, making sure the smoke is going in the right direction."
Controlling the fire is no easy task in itself, but the firefighters must also make quick decisions about where and how to get the injured victims to safety.
"That's an extensive operation. It's not as simple as walking up to someone's house and taking them down three or four steps to an ambulance."
In this drill, the Berkeley firefighters are able to respond to the emergency without a hitch.
Practicing with BART on a regular basis gives Bay Area first responders vital first-hand knowledge.
"We know what to expect, we've been there before, we've walked the tunnel, we've seen the things and you know, that leads to safer conditions for the passengers."
There are steps you as a passenger can take to increase safety too. Review the safety guide at http://www.bart.gov/guide/overview/safety.asp
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Beneath the streets of San Francisco's financial district, firefighters are scrambling.
It's the predawn hours of a Sunday morning and most people in the Bay Area are sleeping comfortably - but these firefighters and BART safety personnel are hard at work, training for an emergency they hope will never happen.
This is one of dozens of drills BART holds with outside agencies, in this case the San Francisco Fire Department.
John McPartland/BART Safety Specialist:
"BART holds these drills so that the emergency response agencies have the opportunity to get on to BART
property and to get familiar not only with the facilities themselves but how best they can coordinate and conduct their emergency response."
In this drill, firefighters are boarding a rescue train and heading into the TransBay Tube.
Once inside the tube they simulate evacuating passengers.
It's all over in a relatively short time, but the work related to the drill goes on long after this morning's exercise.
There will be notes to compare, determining what went wrong, what went right...and what can be done better.
John McPartland/BART Safety Specialist:
"This gives us, including BART safety, and staff and police department, the opportunity to maximize the efficiency to
which we can respond to an emergency, save lives and mitigate emergencies."
Your safety is BART's top priority - that's why these first responders don't mind losing a little sleep.
You can play a part in keeping BART safe too, by reviewing the information in the safety section of http://www.bart.gov/guide/overview/safety.asp
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Got a handful of these quarter-sized dollar coins and don't know what to do with them? Well, you can use them to buy your next BART ticket. Vanessa Peng/BARTtv News: " ALL BART ticket machines now accept quarter size dollar coins, including the prsidential series." Put your president to work for you... on BART. Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Temporary Parking and Drop-off changes at Union City Station
Beginning Monday, September 15th, BART will relocate reserved, bike and motorcycle parking, the patron drop-off/pick-up area and the taxi and shuttle stops at the Union City Station. The changes are temporary and are apart of the transit village that is currently under construction. it will result in improved car, bus, pedestrian and bicycle access to the station. Please refer to the map on the back of the passenger bulletin available at the station for details. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you; however, once all the Phase One work is done in 2010, the transit village will have transformed the area into a beautiful, enjoyable place to live, work, shop and ride. Cheryl Stalter, BARTtv News
Why BART Doesn't Run 24 Hours a Day
"It does cut my time short out of the city cus I have to come back before 12 o'clock or 12:20 or I miss my last BART."
Some riders like J.J. Castaneda who work or play late want to know why BART doesn't run 24 hours.
Don Allen/Chief BART Engineer: "Well, there's a tremendous amount of activity at night that's performed that helps the system run, and run safely."
Activity like grinding the rails to make trains run more smoothly.
This kind of work simply can't be done with trains running on the track.
Don Allen/Chief BART Engineer: "We have a great deal of maintenance that has to occur during non-revenue hours, both for safety of train movement, the safety of our employees, and to ensure we don't interrupt passenger service during the day."
By scrambling to get work done during the early morning hours, BART crews keep trains running on time during the day.
Don Allen/Chief BART Engineer: "We feel that it's best to provide reliable, continuous service, predictable service to our patrons and perform the maintenance in these non-revenue windows."
But late night riders aren't stranded. The All Nighter bus operates from about 1 until 5 a.m and stops at 30 BART stations.
"The choices aren't that great, it's like take a $60 taxi or, you know, crash somewhere you don't want to. So this makes it a lot more easier to get back."
For more information about the All Nighter bus click on http://transit.511.org/destinations/index.aspx?#m1=N. Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Changes to Dublin/Pleasanton Station
Hi, my name is Vanessa Peng with important news for those of you who use Dublin/Pleasanton station.
Starting on Monday, August 4th, construction crews will begin developing the Dublin transit village, and that means some changes.
For starters, you can enter the parking garage only through the Arnold side, that's the side without the radio tower.
The construction will only affect the Dublin side of the station.
BART will move the passenger drop off and pick-up area to the main lot.
The taxi cab zone will also be moved.
The disabled parking spaces will be moved to here.
Iron Horse Parkway and DeMarcus Boulevard will both be accessible during the construction.
You can use either of these roads to enter the main lot.
You can't park at this satellite lot during the construction, but you can park in the main surface parking lot.
And don't worry about remembering all of this, BART will post signs to help guide you during the construction.
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Construction Update: Station at West Dublin/Pleasanton
"The electrical, communications, the elevator..."
The work continues on the new station and transit village in West Dublin/Pleasanton. The project includes two garages, creating about 1200 new parking spaces.
"These two parking structures, the West Dublin and the West Pleasanton parking structures are going to support the station."
"As you can see, we've got a lot of system going into place now..."
One of the unique design aspects of this project is the location of the station. It's situated in the middle of a freeway.
"These are all anchoring supports for the pedestrian bridges."
Which might make you wonder...Since speeding traffic surrounds the station - how do you get to it?
"From the garages we have bridges that tie into the station and the station will be accessed from the garages, no access from the freeway."
Crews hope to complete the garage on the Dublin side in January.. and they hope to complete the parking structure on the Pleasanton side in the Spring of '08.
The station itself should open in 2009.
"They'll sit vacant for several months before the station catches up and is opened so once the station is opened we anticipate it will be fully utilized."
Stay tuned for updates on this and other BART projects coming soon at www.BART.gov. Jim Allison, BARTtv NEWS
There's a brighter future at BART, literally.
James Fang/BART Board Member
"We're very, very happy today to announce that BART is going to remodel the lights at 16th and 24th St. stations. 2,000 lamps, with this new energy efficiency light bulb, that will allow us to save over $2.1 million. $2.1 million over the next 10 years."
BART Board Members James Fang and Bob Franklin recently announced a partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric to upgrade old lighting fixtures, replace lighting controls and install emergency lighting features at 16th Street and 24th Street/Mission Stations.
Bob Franklin/BART Board Member
"BART passengers will benefit with improved lighting and indirectly through reduced operating costs at BART."
PG&E officials presented BART with a $313,000 rebate, money that will help pay for the installation of the new energy efficient lights.
"So effectively, you're replacing a 500 watt lightbulb with a 100 watt lightbulb."
Because the difference in the new lights is hard to show on video, we asked lighting designer John Kalavaris to use a light level meter to test the old versus the new at 16th Street/ Mission.
"You can see here we're delivering anywhere from, the camera's blocking the light a little bit but, approximately 42 foot candles when we were delivering 23 to 24."
That's almost double the amount of light measured in foot candles from bulbs that use less energy
Brad Whitcomb/Pacific Gas & Electric
"AT PG&E, we believe that using energy efficiently not only saves our customers money, but it is the most cost effective way to reduce carbon emissions to enter the atmosphere and help protect our environment."
To learn more about this green initiative, click on http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2008/news20081030b.aspx
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
An out-of-the ordinary ribbon cutting for an out-of the ordinary technology.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"So the concept is basically a parking meter with a locker attached."
A locker where you can safely store your bike on a pay-as-you go basis.
There are now 40 of these electronic Bike Link lockers at MacArthur Station, where BART hosted ribbon cutting and promotional giveaway.
Tom Radulovich/BART Board Director
"I am actually very pleased to be here today. I think this is yet another step in BART's commitment to becoming much more bike friendly."
Lynette Sweet/BART Board Director
"We're excited about this new system because this new technology is efficient, easy to use, secure and affordable."
MacArthur is one of eight stations that's had the electronic lockers installed in the first phase of this multi-phase project.
Tom Radulovich/BART Board Director
"These are a part of the first group of lockers. We have 202 lockers that are gonna go in, mostly I think in East Bay stations. Then there's another group following along behind them."
BART plans to have about 900 electronic lockers installed by 2012 thanks to grants from several groups.
These new electronic are replacing the old key lockers at many BART stations because they give more people a chance to use them.
A single electronic locker can be rented by five cyclists in a week.
The key lockers were available to just one renter on a yearly or quarterly basis.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"You're serving a lot more cyclists with less footprint."
The electronic lockers are perfect for someone like Rochelle Wheeler.
Rochelle Wheeler/BikeLink User
"I commute on bike to BART about maybe once to three times a week."
Rochelle paid $20 for a bike link card and now has a place to stash her bike and more at North Berkeley.
Rochelle Wheeler/BikeLink User
"I can take off my helmet and my gloves and my light and I can put them all in the locker with my bike so I don't have to lug those things around during the day."
Rochelle enters plenty of time on the meter to cover the time she will be using the locker. The electronic locker then deducts 3 cents an hour from the balance on her card. When she returns the eLocker calculates how much time was used and refunds any extra time back to her card.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"You can use your BikeLink card at Caltrain, at San Jose city hall..."
Click on www.bikelink.org for a map of locations and details on how you can get your card.
Steven Grover/eLock Technologies President
"BikeLink is all about trying to make it easier for you to use your bike to get to transit and use it for errands."
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Naji Trufant/BART Rider:
"I love recycling. I recycle a lot. I recycle anything from plastic bags to cloth to clothing to ...you name it!"
Most BART riders agree: recycling is worth the effort.
Alyssa Coutre/BART Rider
"That's what today's world is all about. It's recycling, and you know, it's coming up with...it's a team effort!"
You can be part of the team too.
if you're one of the tens of thousands of people who bring newspapers on board BART trains, take your newspaper with you.
There are recycling bins on the concourse level of each station.
"As we encourage all people to recycle, we do that here at BART."
If you're finished with your newspaper, toss in the bin and we'll take care of it.
And, for the less conscientious people who simply leave their newspapers and trash on the train...well, we take care of that too.
Jeff Baker/Asst. Maintenance Supt.
"For instance, in our Richmond yard, we have 10 recycling bins that get emptied every day so there is a tremendous amount of trash that is pulled off of our BART trains and ultimately we recycle a lot of the newspapers that come through the BART system."
Recyling the trash is an extra step, but one BART is willing to take to help the environment.
We even recyle cans and bottles - even though drinking on BART is against the law.
"Newspapers are the most commonly recycled item on BART. What's the most uncommon?"
"I don't know how they decided to roll it up into a train and leave it there but we found auto tires on the train."
It goes without saying but we'll say it anyway....please take your old auto tires to a proper recycling facility...and stash your newspapers in our recycling bins.
Jim Allison, BARTtv news
Remember what Mom always said about sharing, how great it is?
Well Fiona Murphy listened.
Fiona shares cars with other members of Zipcar.
It's a service that provides pay-as-you-go vehicles.
Sharing cars works so well for Fiona that she's ditched the hassles and costs of car ownership.
You'll find Zipcars at seven BART stations.
Jennifer Payne-Sleight/Zipcar
"We like to say we're the last mile in public transit so we, you know, once you get off at that BART station then you can actually pick up that car and maby go those extra few miles."
Fiona joined Zipcar online, so now she can reserve a car and use it only when she needs it.
"It's nice to be able to vary your plan accordingly to what your needs are are, it's a very flexible, available policy."
There are hundreds of Zipcars at locations throughout the Bay Area, but, as more people are learning, the combination of BART and shared cars is an especially convenient option.
"42% of Zipcar members increased their public transit use in conjunction with Zipcars."
Zipcar even features environmentally-friendly hybrids for those of us looking to soften our carbon footprint.
Our target is to be that convenient so people can either live without a vehicle or even choose to not drive a vehicle into the city or even ideally not have one car per household." Check Zipcar locations or even sign up by clicking on the link in the text version of this story.
Soon you could be zipping along the road minutes after stepping off a BART train.
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
It's pretty obvious that if you take electrically- powered BART instead of driving a car, you're cutting down on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you send into the atmosphere.
Val Menotti/Stations Deputy Manager
"If you take BART, you are reducing your own emission significantly. And on each trip, compared to a passenger vehicle, it's about 14 percent of what you would if you were driving."
What may not be so obvious is that taking BART is a LOT more effective than the other actions you can take to reduce emissions.
For instance, if you replace an old refrigerator with a more energy-efficient model, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 335 pounds a year.
Changing five lightbulbs from incandescent to flourescent will reduce emissions by about 445 pounds.
If you took BART instead of driving each weekday for a year?
You'd reduce your carbon footprint by 5,868 pounds!
It's very significant, being that for many people, in the Bay Area, travel is the biggest emitter."
How big?
Consider that half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area come from transportation sources.
And taking BART not only means you're using a greener way to get around, you're contributing to more sustainable land use.
"BART or transit in general enables a land use pattern that allows people to take either shorter trips or walk or bike more often, so there is kind of a multiplier effect of transit itself. so it has multiple benefits."
For a report on public transportation's contribution to fighting global warming, click on http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/greenhouse_brochure.cfm
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
A horizontal high rise with limited exits.
That's how a Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief describes BART.
BART presents some unique challenges for the emergency responders in the 26 cities through which it runs.
"One, you've got communication challenges just above ground to below ground."
That's why this joint BART- Berkeley Fire Department Drill is so critical to passenger safety.
"Drilling is the heartbeat of a fire department."
The scenario is a fire on a train.
Two passengers are injured.
Berkeley firefighters must put out the fire and evacuate the injured to safety.
Just getting to the scene takes teamwork and planning.
"You've got a mile between stations that you might have to walk one direction or the other."
There's little room to maneuver and no time to spare.
" You've got to deal with conditions of ventilation down there, making sure the smoke is going in the right direction."
Controlling the fire is no easy task in itself, but the firefighters must also make quick decisions about where and how to get the injured victims to safety.
"That's an extensive operation. It's not as simple as walking up to someone's house and taking them down three or four steps to an ambulance."
In this drill, the Berkeley firefighters are able to respond to the emergency without a hitch.
Practicing with BART on a regular basis gives Bay Area first responders vital first-hand knowledge.
"We know what to expect, we've been there before, we've walked the tunnel, we've seen the things and you know, that leads to safer conditions for the passengers."
There are steps you as a passenger can take to increase safety too. Review the safety guide at http://www.bart.gov/guide/overview/safety.asp
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
Beneath the streets of San Francisco's financial district, firefighters are scrambling.
It's the predawn hours of a Sunday morning and most people in the Bay Area are sleeping comfortably - but these firefighters and BART safety personnel are hard at work, training for an emergency they hope will never happen.
This is one of dozens of drills BART holds with outside agencies, in this case the San Francisco Fire Department.
John McPartland/BART Safety Specialist:
"BART holds these drills so that the emergency response agencies have the opportunity to get on to BART
property and to get familiar not only with the facilities themselves but how best they can coordinate and conduct their emergency response."
In this drill, firefighters are boarding a rescue train and heading into the TransBay Tube.
Once inside the tube they simulate evacuating passengers.
It's all over in a relatively short time, but the work related to the drill goes on long after this morning's exercise.
There will be notes to compare, determining what went wrong, what went right...and what can be done better.
John McPartland/BART Safety Specialist:
"This gives us, including BART safety, and staff and police department, the opportunity to maximize the efficiency to
which we can respond to an emergency, save lives and mitigate emergencies."
Your safety is BART's top priority - that's why these first responders don't mind losing a little sleep.
You can play a part in keeping BART safe too, by reviewing the information in the safety section of http://www.bart.gov/guide/overview/safety.asp
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
BART Tours for the Visually Impaired
"El Cerrito, Berkeley, San Francisco, Daly City..."
Juan Quezada is a BART Rider.
"It's easy transportation. I've pretty much memorized all the stops and know when to get off and get on."
Juan is also visually impaired.
Today, he and dozens of other visually impaired people are experiencing BART in a new way.
"Okay, come with me when you're ready."
BART's safety experts are teaching Juan and other students how to buy tickets, navigate the platform, board trains...and training them in potentially life saving skills.
"This is the edge of the platform, right here. Oh wow!"
The students even walk down onto an out-of-service track.
BART trainers teach them how to duck into a safe spot to wait for help should they ever accidentially fall off the platform.
"perfect!"
"I didn't think it was going to be that high. I thought it was going to be lower."
The tours are a team effort between BART, its accessibility task force groups and various Bay Area centers for people with disabilities.
"We do this a minimum of once a year and we've expanded to include other disabilities."
Something as simple as yellow platform tiles, taken by granted by sighted riders, are, like this tour, vital tools to help make BART accessible and safe for everyone.
The hope is that as Juan and his fellow students from the Living Skills center return to their campus, they will take with them the knowledge and ability to use BART's 104 miles of track to expand their horizons.
Jim Allison, BARTtv news.
Marilyn McAllister/BART Retiree:
"I've only been unemployed 19 days in my life."
But Concord resident Marilyn McAllister is out of a job now....by her own choice.
She was honored by the BART Board as she retired after working at BART for 40 years.
McAllister started in 1968, four years before BART even began carrying passengers.
"We had to walk over boards to get to work because they were still building it."
She spent four decades working behind the scenes, handling BART's finances.
"It's all good and I'm sure BART will be fine going forward. And who knows, maybe
one of my grandkids will come to work for BART some day."
Jim Allison, BARTtv News.
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: Breaking news at BART.
TV ANCHOR: "Breaking news in the East Bay. We do have those live pictures of a BART train..."
TV ANCHOR: "...the fire appears to be in a nearby substation."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: Whether it's a substation fire...
TV ANCHOR: "There are no reports of any injuries to BART passengers right now..."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: ...that forces the evacuation of a train...
TV REPORTER:"We're seeing more reports of mountain lion sightings these days..."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: ...or something as crazy as a mountain lion sighting near the tracks...
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON: "The mountain lions were reported back here, behind this fence, sunning themselves."
...my job is to race to the scene to do media interviews..
TV REPORTER:"Linton Johnson, Chief Spokesperson for BART, is with us right now. Linton, what can you tell us. What happened here? "
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:"We're not sure why it started. As you can see, people are here trying to determine that now."
DEBORAH SULLIVAN/BART COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST:"117 is stuck at San Leandro."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:..while my backup, Jim Allison, races to BART Central Control. Both our jobs are to work the phones so people in the media, like NBC11 Assignment Editor Joie Tamkin, get up-to-the-minute, accurate information instantly.
JOIE TAMKIN/NBC11 SENIOR ASSIGNMENT EDITOR: "The pager that has BART given us has made my job a little bit easier in the sense that the pager will go off when I'm doing a thousand other things on the side and it will draw my attention to something happening over at BART."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:Last year we went door-to-door handing out dozens of pagers to each of the major news outlets and whenever there's something as serious as a major service disruption, or as simple as an all-out search for a possible mountain lion under our tracks, we use our BlackBerries or the desktop in Central to send a text message to those pagers alerting the news media to call a special media voice mail line we set up.
TELEPHONE: "This is Linton Johnson, the Chief Spokesperson for BART, the time right now is 3:10 p.m..."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:The voice mail line gives the who, what, when and where of the incident, and most importantly...
JIM ALLISON/BART MULTIMEDIA MANAGING PRODUCER:" We'll make an effort to update the media voice mail line on the quarter hour, the next update wil be at 12:30.."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:...we manage expectations by telling them the next update will be.
JOIE TAMKIN/SENIOR ASSIGNMENT EDITOR: "It makes my job easier because, when the pager goes off, it tells us what's happening and I can call the media line every 15 minutes for an update. I was actually really impressed when BART came by and gave us a pager. That was something I thought was on the cutting edge, reaching out to us and giving us these incident pagers, which I never heard of any agency doing."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:Before we had the incident pager and the voice mail system, reporters constantly hounded those inside Central during breaking news situations to get the latest informatin. Now, with the system in place, they simply call the voice mail line for instant, up-to-the minute updates.
RANDALLY RODERICK/OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTER MANAGER: It provides us the ability to hand over the individuals to the media person and allows us to focus on what we do."
LINTON JOHNSON/BART CHIEF SPOKESPERSON:Our next step is to use the web to communicate with the media. We've just launched BARTtv, where customers can go to watch news about BART, so when news breaks we plan to have a BART photographer on the scene, recording the news conferences and, within minutes, putting those news conferences unedited on the BART website so both the public and the writers in the newsroom can see and hear what reporters in the field saw and heard.
Union Square is a BARTable Destination in the heart of San Francisco that's thoroughly modern and yet has been a centerpiece for as long as the city has existed.
"So this park was designated a park in 1847 when the streets were laid out and when San Francisco was just founded."
The square is a 2 and half acre plaza bordered with upscale shopping that draws both tourists and Bay Area residents, There's plenty to enjoy during summer months too, with free performances featuring a wide selection of entertainers.
"Anything from family entertainment to local performers to swing dancing, my personal favorite, to outdoor movies, which are truly fabulous."
Of course, during the holidays, Union Square is a shopper's paradise.
"It really is the first place I come to holiday shop, not only because I work here and it's convenient, but also because it really is the center of, not only fashion, retail, I mean you can find almost anything here."
And, it's just two blocks from here, the Powell Street station.
"And you can shop along the way, grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, or come and enjoy a free concert."
For more information click on http://www.unionsquarepark.us/
Vanessa Peng, BARTtv News.
Alan Hu/Folding Bike Owner
Folding bikes are a very real, very practical solution to some of today's problems."
Alan Hu is fond of folding bikes and he's not alone.
With the last year or so, with gas prices, we've seen a huge increase in folding bikes, again because folding bikes are so compatible with the commute."
Because folding bikes are becoming more popular and because they're allowed on any BART train at any time, BARTtv went to Fruitvale Bike Station for some tips on buying a folder.
Joy Franco/Alameda Bicycle
First thing you definitely want to look for is how easy the bike is to fold up"
Joy Franco of Alameda Bicycle says the more hinges, the more folding you'll be doing.
She says finding a stable bike is also important, but be careful about getting a bike that's too heavy.
If you're carrying it up and down some BART stairs, the last thing you want to do is have some 50 pound beast that you're lugging over your shoulder."
Other factors Joy suggests you consider: fenders and a rack for commuting convenience, tires designed for urban streets and a simple set of gears.
Of course, price is always a consideration.
Joy says you don't need to go break the bank but it's not wise to buy the most inexpensive folder you can find either.
Something in about the 5 to 600 dollar range is going to be a solid bike, no warranty issues, something that's going to last a long time."
For more information, click www.foldingcyclist.com.
And if you're not yet ready to invest in a folder, don't forget you can securley store your conventional bike for free at three bike station locations, including here at Fruitvale Bike station.
It's open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cheryl Stalter, BARTtv News
He looks like any other guy getting off BART at the Oakland Airport Coliseum station, except that this guy has an NBC11 camera crew in tow...and a three-million dollar a year arm.
"It just kind of gets me in a rhythm, it gets me in a routine. ballplayers, we all like to have a rhythm, we all like to have a routine."
This guy is Huston Street, a pitcher for the Oakland A's, 2005 rookie of the year.
Few of the fans who stream into the Coliseum realize Street takes BART to the ballpark too.
"My wife and I, we live like 30 miles away ...we have one car so to commute back and forth, back and forth...would be a lot of time and a lot of gas"
Like many BART regulars, Street says he saves money on gas plus avoids wear and tear on his car....and his psyche.
"It's just so relaxing for me... pregame... I don't have to fight traffic ... I don't have to worry about anything, I have to make one change... which is real easy, the trains are timed...I just get on, hop across ...and it drops me off...2 minute walk from my locker so it's perfect!"
Street keeps a low-profile on BART, with eyeglasses, t-shirt and jeans, but not low-enough to escape the attention of sports reporters like Laurence Scott of KNTV.
Laurence SCott/ NBC 11 Sports Reporter: " This guy's a star pitcher too! He is really one of the better A's player's and he's leading by example here. And you won't find a nicer guy in all of baseball!"
Felipe Escamilla/ NBC Sports Photojournalist: "I've seen the huge egos, I've talked to the huge egos and he's definately not one of those. He's down to earth."
LINTON Johnson/ BART Chief Spokesperson: "Huston Street says long before the media ever found out about his commute he was riding BART because of Joe Kennedy. He's the late baseball player for the As who died recently because of heart failure...but if you think about it he rode bart to the office just like everybody else except in his case the office is the baseball field."
And while Street plays baseball for a living that doesn't mean he ignores the world beyond the diamond.
He says one factor in his choice to take BART is that he's concerned about greenhouse gases and the use of fossil fuels.
"You know it's irresponsible for us not to consider for future generations because we've always had this luxury but in the last 50 years we've really taken advantage of it I feel like"
So it's no stretch to say this guy in the green and gold is pretty green off the field too.
To hear some of teammates talk about BART, click on http://video.nbc11.com/player/?id=261162
Linton Johnson, BARTtv News.
What do Shrek and the biblical Genesis have in common?
They are both powerful stories you can experience in new ways at the
Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco.
Connie Wolf/Contemporary Jewish Museum Director
"Here you can encounter alot of different things from contemporary installations by artists who just created them just for us as well as historical treasures and texts as early as the 13th century."
The museum's new location is on Mission between Third and Fourth Streets.
"We love our location. You can getoff at the Montgomery Street station, you can get off at the Powell Street station. We're right smack in the middle, so there's no excuse why people coming on BART can't just make a quick stop."
The museum itself is an eye-catching blend of the old and new.
A cube-like extension made of blue steel is married to an old power substation.
The architect was inspired by the fact the substation helped restore energy to the city following the 1906 earthquake.
"His idea was to take the Hebrew phrase "L'Chaim", to life, and because this was the building that gave life back to San Francisco and we want to be a museum that infuses life into Jewish culture and tradition."
You'll find fresh perspectives on that tradition in the exhibition "In the Beginning."
And, if that's all a little to mind-boggling for younger visitors, there's the work of William Steig.
"This is an exhibition for everybody and it is based on this wonderful illustrator, he worked just a mere 75 years at the New Yorker and also gave us the wonderful book called 'Shrek'"
For a list of current and future exhibitions, as well as hours and ticket information, click on http://www.thecjm.org/ .
The Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco is a BARTable destination connecting art, people and ideas.
"This is a place for everybody and we welcome you and encourage you to come again and again."
Luna Salaver, BARTtv News.
The ceremonial shovel toss: an old school way to mark the beginning of a forward thinking project: a new transit village promising to help future Contra Costa County residents end their addiction to the automobile.
Gail Murray/BART Board President:
"It's important for the sustainability of our planet to build in instead of building out all the time."
Here at the Pleasant Hill BART station, the very parking lot where the project partners celebrated will be transformed into a community where families will live, work and shop just a short distance from BART.
Officials noted the transit village's higher density development will slow urban sprawl and will benefit the environment.
"Of course it helps reduce air pollution because there's going to be 550 families here who won't have to drive for their commute because they'll be right here."
Builders plan to finish 450 apartments and 100 condos by 2010.
Already open: a garage that provides more than 1,500 parking spaces.
The convenient parking is just one of the ways BART riders will benefit even if they don't move to the transit village.
"This will provide a steady source of revenue for BART."
The Pleasant Hill project is one of seven transit villages at or near BART property.
To learn more, click on http://www.bart.gov/about/planning/station.aspx
Jim Allison BARTtv News.
