Wheelchair or Limited Mobility

Accessible wheelchair symbol

Wheelchair Users

Pay special attention to the gap between the platform edge and the train. This gap may vary, so don’t hesitate to move to another car if the gap at a particular door is too great. The Train Operator will wait for you to enter. Be especially aware when entering or exiting train cars that your front wheels do not get stuck in the gap between the platform and the train. Once onboard a train, please lock the wheelchair’s brakes for your safety, if your wheelchair has brakes. In some BART cars, a space to the right of the door is reserved for passengers in wheelchairs. The international access symbol marks the outside of these cars.

ADA Mobility Device Reunification

In the event a rider is separated from their mobility device due to a train or station evacuation they should call 510-464-7777 or email [email protected] and provide their contact information and staff will coordinate the return of the device.

Parking

Stations with parking have specially designated Disabled Person (DP) parking spaces. If you're using a DP parking space at a station that has daily parking fees, you are required to pay the established parking fees at times when those fees are in effect. Check the parking section for more details.

Clipper Card & Fare Gates

You can use a Clipper Card to pay for your BART trip and on many other transits. Just touch your Clipper Card on the Clipper Disk, and the gates will open. Clipper Disk locations are either to the right of the gate and/or on top. For more information visit Clipper Discount Card.

At the Platform

Stand behind the wide yellow strip of textured rubber tiles that runs along the length of all BART platforms. These tiles can be detected with a cane or foot. Black rubber tiles are used to mark the approximate location of train doors when the train pulls into the station. In some stations, an extra row of black tiles marks the entrance to the two middle cars of the train. Exact door locations may vary.

Boarding

Do not approach the train until it comes to a complete stop. The train may adjust its position at the platform before the doors open. Allow passengers to exit before you enter. Pay attention to the narrow gap between the platform edge and the train.

Seats near the train doors are designated as priority seating for seniors and persons with disabilities. Hold onto the vertical handrails, overhead handrails, or seat-back handholds to steady your ride when the train is moving.

The Train Operator’s booth is in the first car of the train. Bicycles are not allowed in this car. For these reasons, passengers with disabilities may wish to board the first car of the train.

Seating

There is priority seating to the left of the door on all trains for seniors and people with disabilities. All trains can also accommodate wheelchair users to the right of the doorway.

Example of the priority seating sign displayed on each BART car

Exiting

Train Operators announce the name of each station as well as transfer information as the train approaches. Signs indicating the station name are also visible from inside the train. When leaving the train, move to the doors just prior to arrival. The train may adjust its position at the platform before the doors open.

Service Animal

Passengers with disabilities may ride with their trained service animal. Service animals must be leashed and kept on the floor and out of the aisles as much as possible and must be under the control of their owners at all times. View BART's pet and dog policy for non-service animals.

Personal Care Attendants

Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) who accompany disabled passengers on BART are eligible for the discount fare if the use of a PCA is indicated on the RTC Discount Card.

Escalators

All BART stations have escalators. Generally, the escalators operate in the direction of main passenger flow, which varies depending on the time of day and location. Where possible, escalator service is provided in both directions. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, be sure to hold on to the handrail while using the escalators. Wheelchairs are not allowed on the escalators. To check the status of escalator operation at any station, call the BART Transit Information Center.

White Courtesy Phones

All BART Stations have public white courtesy telephones near the elevator locations and through out the station at all levels  which will connect to a BART Station Agent or connect to the BART’’s Operating Central Center (OCC).

Paratransit Service

BART provides ADA Paratransit service to eligible individuals whose disability prevents them from accessing, boarding or riding BART trains. Service is provided by lift vans and sedans and is generally by reservation only. For more information, visit the Paratransit page.

Elevators

All BART stations have accessible elevators. In some stations you may need to use two different elevators to get from the street to the train platform level. If you arrive at a BART station and are unable to enter or exit the station because the elevator is not working, contact the Station Agent. They will help you enter or exit in another way if possible, or refer you to an alternate means of transportation such as a bus or paratransit.

If you find out in advance that an elevator is not working at the station you want to go to, call the BART Transit Information Center to find out what transit alternatives are available to you. To check the status of elevator operation at any station, call (510) 834-LIFT or (888) 2-ELEVAT. In case of fire, do not use the elevators.

You can also sign up for elevator status alerts.

Learn more about elevator locations, the accessible pathways for each station, and outage options specific to each station at https://www.bart.gov/guide/accessibility/elevators.

If you need to communicate with the Station Agent while inside the elevator, use the emergency telephone. If the Station Agent does not answer within 90 seconds, your call will be directed to BART Central Dispatch. If the emergency telephone is picked up for at least two minutes but there is no voice communication, BART will treat this as a call for assistance. This ensures that help is available to elevator passengers even if they are unable to speak.

We have created this Elevator Dimension Guide to provide the dimensions of each elevator systemwide to help plan your journey. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. 

Processing Your Fare When Elevators Are Outside Paid Area

There are some BART stations that have elevators outside of the paid area. When using one of these stations, you will have to enter the paid area through a nearby accessible faregate. After processing your fare, you may exit through the adjacent swinggate and proceed to the elevator to the platform. Upon exiting, you may enter the paid area through the swinggate and then process your ticket upon exiting through the accessible faregate. Station agents are also available to assist you upon request.