Access Overview

Children 4 and under ride free but everyone else must have a Clipper card or BART paper ticket (no longer sold from ticket vending machines) with funds loaded. Proof of payment is required.

Regional Clipper Card and Discounts

The region has prioritized the use of Clipper as the Bay Area’s all-in-one transit card administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Clipper is reusable, reloadable, and regionally accepted on other transit systems. 

Clipper account access including checking your balance can be found on the Clipper website.

There is a one-time $3 fee to purchase a Clipper card from a BART station vending machine. 

Proof of eligibility is required for discount Clipper cards and tickets and therefore are not available at station vending machines.

Youth & Senior Discount

Youth 5-18 years old get 50% off with a youth Clipper card. Seniors age 65 and over get 62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card.

Youth and Senior Clipper cards can be obtained by mail or there are multiple locations across the Bay Area where you can apply and immediately receive a Youth or Senior card. Applicants will need to bring documentation verifying age eligibility (for example: driver’s license, photo ID card or birth certificate). 

Persons with Disabilities

The RTC Clipper card is a version of Clipper created for passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities to provide 62.5% off. The RTC Clipper card is a photo identification card. You must apply for an RTC Clipper card in person at a participating transit agency. 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.

How to Use BART Tickets

While BART has moved to Clipper only sales at stations, BART still accepts tickets. BART tickets are like debit cards with stored value. 

When you enter BART, insert your ticket into the fare gate and it will be returned to you. Use the same ticket when you exit. The correct fare will be automatically deducted and tickets with remaining value will be returned. If your ticket has too little value, a sign on the fare gate will read "Underpaid: Go to Add fare." A nearby Add fare vending machine will tell you how much additional fare you must add to your ticket to exit the BART system.

To find the cost of a particular BART trip, use the BART Fare Calculator.

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 is generally by reservation only. For more information, visit the Paratransit page.

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.

Service Animals/Pets

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 service animals and pet policies.

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).

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

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. 

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.

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. 

Check real time elevator status and sign up for elevator outage alerts at bart.gov/elevators.

Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs)

BART has a policy governing the use of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs) within the system. The policy covers all battery-powered, self-balancing, two-wheeled transporters, including the Segway Personal Transporter. Read more about EPAMD use and permits.

BART Access Guide Booklet (PDF Version)

Get a quick accessibility overview in a PDF format under BART Accessibility Guide.

YOU TOO CAN…LEARN BART! YOUR GUIDE TO RIDE! (PDF Version)

This helpful booklet -- Updated with new information and in full color--Guides riders how to use BART such as buying a Clipper Card, how to use the faregates, and how to ride the trains. This booklet also provides information how to sign up for BART alerts, if the elevator is out of service, and other useful information for anyone who is new to BART or want to learn more about BART in a fun comic-book style. 

Publication and printing of this booklet was funded through Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), as part of the effort to meet mobility and accessibility needs in the Bay Area.

Download and print your own copy of "LEARN BART! Your Guide to Ride!"

Learn BART! Your Guide to Ride cover page

Please contact Customer Access and Accessibility Department to request a text version, YOU TOO CAN…LEARN BART! YOUR GUIDE TO RIDE! 

BART Accessibility Task Force (BATF)

The BART Accessibility Task Force advises the BART Board of Directors and staff on disability-related issues and advocates on behalf of people with disabilities and seniors to make the BART system accessible to and useable by people regardless of disability or age.

BART Website

The BART website incorporates numerous accessibility standards for persons with disabilities including guidelines from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220). BART will provide alternate media to access information about BART programs and services. If you have suggestions for improving BART website accessibility, please let us know by contacting the BART website manager.

Emergency Evacuations

BART’s Emergency Plan addresses evacuation of riders with disabilities who require assistance. BART’s Operations Control Center (OCC) is in charge of determining the number and location of passengers on trains who require assistance. Passengers who use wheelchairs are assisted by the local fire department, unless a hazard exists that makes immediate evacuation necessary.

Assisted Evacuation in a Station:

  • If safe, use the elevator to immediately leave the station​
  • If elevator is not working, make yourself known and talk to the Station Agent or use the elevator cab intercom to talk to the Station Agent or Operations Control Center (OCC)​
  • Pick up a white courtesy phone to talk to the Station Agent
  • Ask for assistance from other BART riders or Call 911 on your mobile device​
  • During station evacuation, station will be checked and swept by the Station Agent, OCC via CCTVs, BART Police officers, and/or first responders
  • Rescue personnel will assist persons with disabilities​
  • There is also an evacuation chair present in each station for use by the Fire Department during evacuation 

Assisted Evacuation on a Train

In case of an emergency, leave your wheelchair on the train. The walkways and ramps used for evacuation are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs.

Passengers who are vision- or hearing-impaired or who use mobility aids should ask for assistance from other passengers.

During train evacuations, the train will be checked and swept by the Train Operator, BART Police or first responders. Rescue personnel will assist persons with disabilities

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.

BART Police

Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 1-877-679-7000

The BART Watch app is also available for download to discreetly report criminal or suspicious activity directly to BART Police.

For non-emergency needs you can text BPD at 510-200-0992.

Restrooms

Nearly all stations have public restrooms. Full details about restrooms can be found here

Accessibility Contacts

BART Accessibility Task Force Citizen Advisory Group:

Elena Van Loo

Senior Administration Analyst (Accessibility)

Customer Access and Accessibility Department

(510) 874-7366, [email protected]

BART Manager of Access and Accessible Services:

Laura Timothy

Manager of Access and Accessible Services

Customer Access and Accessibility Department

510-464-6446, [email protected]

Director of Customer Access and Accessibility:

Bob Franklin

Director of Customer Access and Accessibility

510-464-6133, [email protected]

If you wish to call or email any suggestions, comments, or complains, please call BART’s Customer Services Department at (510) 464-6000, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday or email, [email protected].