BART’s Strategic and Policy Planning department covers a broad range of agency-focused policy, long-range and regional planning efforts, and implementation of districtwide programs. The department leads a variety of long-range studies and guides internal priority setting through policy development, planning, and board engagement. Key efforts in this area include:
Strategic Plan Framework and Two-Year Action Plan
The Strategic Plan Framework establishes the vision and mission of the District along with supporting goals. Two-Year Action Plans identify key initiatives focused on delivering on the Strategic Plan goals, organized around three priority areas: Financial Stability, Rider Experience, and On Track for the Future.
System Development Planning
The System Development Policy guides how BART will consistently evaluate proposed new line extensions and stations, including infill stations. Any major new system development project must provide clear, measurable benefits to the system and its riders, as well as demonstrate the ability to address the region’s goals to grow transit ridership, address the climate emergency, and improve mobility.
The Role in the Region Study (2024)
This study provides insights into emerging trends and outlines BART’s benefits to the Bay Area highlighting BART’s essential role in the region’s success and the well-being and quality of life of those who reside and travel here. The study conveys these insights through illustrative data and personal narratives, culminating in a comprehensive final report.
BART Metro: 2030 and Beyond Study (2022)
This study is an evaluation of future service ideas enabled by exciting upgrades that are currently underway or planned at BART. Possible new service concepts that could provide more options for riders were considered and evaluated under two potential ridership demand scenarios. It contains a list of improvements that would support implementation of those service concepts in the mid- and long-term timeframes.
Art in Transit Program
This program implements the Art in Transit Policy, which aims to enrich rider experience, strengthen station identity, connect to communities, and support a distinctive sense of place. The program includes capital works, including working closely with project managers on large capital projects, temporary and programmed work, and conservation of the existing artworks in the system.
Regional Planning and Coordination
BART engages regularly with other transit agencies in the region and with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) staff to improve coordination amongst agencies in aim of improving the transit rider experience at the regional scale. The Strategic and Policy Planning department also engages on county and regional planning efforts such as MTC’s Plan Bay Area and corridor studies, and partner agency capital planning such as Valley Link.
Environmental Review
The Strategic and Policy Planning group provides support, guidance, and documentation pertaining to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and permitting needs for District projects.