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A worker carries wood blocks that are used in positioning a rail grinder. Contractor VSCE Inc.was on site at the Hayward maintenance yard to supervise and coordinate the work.

BART is taking unprecedented steps to increase the opportunities available to small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, helping to continue essential construction projects and keeping small business employees on the job and drawing a paycheck.

"We are actively soliciting as many small businesses as possible to help us with essential work that has to be done," said Fei Liu, of BART's Office of Civil Rights. "Some people say a large organization like BART, it can be bureaucratic. COVID-19 has forced us to be more flexible and innovative."

For example, before the pandemic, BART held large networking gatherings where prime contractors would discuss the work they have available and interview small business subcontractors to look for a good fit.

"COVID-19 has forced us to be more flexible and innovative." -- Fei Liu, BART Office of Civil Rights

At pre-coronavirus networking sessions each prime contractor had a booth or table where subcontractors can make the rounds, giving their best elevator pitches in private discussions. "That kind of set-up is not really possible with safe social distancing," Liu said, "so we have adjusted." (In image at right, Liu, in hat, meets one-on-one with a networking attendee at an event in March 2019. Photo by Melissa Jordan)

Now, prime contractors are setting aside a full day, for example, to hold virtual "speed-dating" sessions by teleconference where, in 8 hours of time, they will interact with up to 48 subcontractors. "The meetings are five minutes long with a five-minute buffer in between, so they really have to get to the point and have their pitches down," Fei said. The prime contractors must provide BART with their schedule so they can show whom they interviewed.

"This work is even more important with small businesses now being affected by shelter-in-place orders ," said Fei, who one day last week sent more than 500 emails to small businesses, so many that his email was temporarily blacklisted.

One small business that has been participating in essential work is Oakland-based construction management firm VSCE Inc.

VSCE President Jesus Vargas, pictured at right, is an industry leader who last week was part of a Construction Management Association of America webinar offering advice on steps to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis.

"Being certified as a DBE (disadvantaged business enterprise) allows us to be competitive for contracts," Vargas said. "Our first contract with BART was about four-and-a-half years ago, and as a result of that we were able to get to work on many other projects, from ADA improvements, to better roadway approaches at stations, to monitoring overnight work and more."

"Our staff got important experience and we were able to get into bigger projects" -- VSCE Inc. President Jesus Vargas

"All of those projects gave us quite a bit of experience, being BART-trained, safety-trained, being able to work efficiently in the BART system, and that made us attractive to large companies that want to include us on their teams," he said. "Our staff got important experience and we were able to get into bigger projects." 

Now VSCE's 35 employees are working for transit agencies including BART, where they are providing construction management and other services under the prime contractor Parsons Transportation Group.

Vargas coined the name of his company to stand for "Very Special Consulting Engineers," a little spot of memorable whimsy in a field that usually has  much technical jargon.  His employees work on escalator canopies, rail grinder delivery oversight, Communication-Based Train Control and many other BART projects.

"During COVID-19 many long-term projects are still underway," Vargas said. "They're deemed essential. BART has made accommodations for our staff to work safely on those projects. There's a huge relief that our employees can continue to have their income to support their families. We're proud to be part of the essential work force that keeps the mobility of the Bay Area going. There's a great deal of empowerment in that." (Image at right, a grinding stone on the underside of the grinder.)

Fei Liu, meanwhile, emphasized that BART is working at full speed to help small businesses find work on BART contracts. Recently, his office managed a session for contractors who hope to get work outfitting BART's new headquarters at 2150 Webster Street. A point person for each potential bidder walked through the space to envision what type of work environment they could create for the next chapter in BART's future. 

Also, BART's Small Business Support Services group held two webinars in March and April to help prepare small businesses for their networking sessions; more than 150 people attended the webinars. Talk included how to use best practices for teleconferencing and techniques for delivering an effective five-minute pitch to potential prime contractors.

Many transit projects are designated as essential public works per the region’s public health orders issued in response to the coronavirus. The county orders generally ban construction unless it is being conducted to maintain or build essential infrastructure. BART is prioritizing the safety of its workers and contractors by following social distancing guidelines for all critical infrastructure projects that are allowed to proceed under state and regional stay-at-home orders. (Image at right: workers load old grinder onto flatbed for refurbishing.)

Vargas is focused on the jobs at hand, for example, last week his engineers oversaw delivery of a new rail grinder, an important machine for safety and noise reduction, at the Hayward maintenance yard. Everything went smoothly and according to plan, with workers wearing personal protective equipment and keeping distance.

A new loaner grinder, at left, will do grinding work while the old one, on flatbed, is sent out for refurbishing

"It’s gratifying knowing that in times like this if I can do my part, and help out my community, it’s a positive thing for everyone," said Vargas. His leadership has included roles in many professional groups including the Associated General Contractors (AGC), the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women Transportation Seminar (WTS), Conference of Minority Transit Officials (COMTO), and The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). He was recently appointed to The City of Alameda Transportation Commission and the CA High Speed Rail Business Advisory Committee.

Liu added: "We’re all humans, and we want to make sure everyone is doing well. If we have the capability to help people keep their jobs, even to look for additional opportunities for work, it’s definitely a benefit to our community."

BART is employing a new wheel profile as well as regular rail grinding to reduce noise. Read more it it in this story from our archive.

As we leap into the new year, we’re taking the time to reflect on the stories that moved us this past year.  

From chance encounters to behind-the-scenes heroes, these stories reflect what makes BART so much more than a mode of transportation. 

Read about BART’s Top Accomplishments in 2025

All about the trains

In 2025, our trains were front and center. From welcoming the 1,000th Fleet of the Future car to celebrating the legacy cars that built the system, we spent the year telling their stories. 

• The Grand Meet makes sure late-night riders can get anywhere in the system before the end of service 
• Cleaner trains than ever: Meet the team that has five minutes to clean every BART train 
• The 1,000th Fleet of the Future car was just delivered. Here's what happens next. 
• Oakland Ballers step up to the plate to save legacy BART car the A's rejected 
• BART unveils Cab Cam video series, showcasing the entire system in 4K 
• A legacy BART car prepared for its next act: A vacation rental in the Sierra foothills 
• Meet the Tango team, the mainline technicians who fix trains while they’re moving 

Riders take BART on the town

BART gets people where they need to go, and in some cases, changes their lives for the better. This year, our riders showed us where they went and who they met along the way.  

• They chatted in the Transbay Tube in 1983. This fall, they celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary 
• Your best BART summer (by BART’s biggest fans) 
• The Bay Area camp that field trips on transit 
• Announcements recorded by local youth with autism playing in BART stations for Autism Acceptance Month

Rail tales

There’s more to running a railroad than trains and track. These stories zoomed in on the infrastructure, equipment, and teams that power our system.  

• “A great feat”: BART constructs new power substation in one of its busiest stations 
• How BART replaced a key transformer in the core of the system on a whirlwind schedule 
• How BART’s Earthquake Response Team is preparing for the next “Big One” 
• This 1,200-pound gear makes escalators run. Fixing it is no simple task. 
• Meet the artists who created original works for BART’s Downtown San Francisco escalator canopies 
• BART’s Inspector General is asking tough questions and saving taxpayers millions of dollars 

BART employees go above and beyond 

BART employees come from the communities the system serves. We celebrated their dedication (and fascinating life experiences) with storytelling.  

• Transit is punk: Kamala Parks went from cofounding 924 Gilman Street to urban planning at BART 
• BART managers take to the trains to hear directly from riders 
• BARTy: The official history of BART's beloved mascot 
• BART PD honors 20 individuals for their dedication to system safety 
• BART Leans into ideas from employees to save money and improve the rider experience 
• I was one of the first female train operators at BART. This is my story. 
• Holiday Toy Drive: BART employees donate more than 1,020 gifts and $3,275 in gift cards to organization supporting local youth and families 
• BART's Mark Nagales honored his grandmother’s memory with one final trip on a legacy train 
• BART Police welcomes new hires from a variety of backgrounds and experiences 

BART’s impact 

These stories zoomed out to show how BART supported the region and its vibrant economy.  

• Millbrae Station uplifts the city’s economy and community 
• How Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station supports a city’s businesses, residents, and tourists 

Today, March 18, is Transit Employee Appreciation Day, and BART invites the public to join us in sharing gratitude for transit employees. If you're traveling on BART or another public transit system, take a moment to say "thanks" to the employees you see. 

BART's 629 daily weekday trains may technically run on clean electricity, but we know they're really powered by our more than 4,000 amazing and impactful employees. The work BART employees do is significant, as BART plays a major role in keeping our economy humming, people flowing, and our air clean. None of this happens without BART's employees. 

The "New BART" is on a roll right now, thanks to these employees. Crime on BART dropped 41% in 2025. Ridership was up 9.8%. Passenger on-time performance is as high as it’s been in years. We completed the installation of our Next Generation Fare Gates in August, four months ahead of schedule. Rider satisfaction hit its highest mark in a decade.

Our employees make a big impact on an individual level, too.

 

 

 

 

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Here are just a few of the many stories shared with us by BART riders over the past few months:

I disembarked a northbound BART train at MacArthur Station. I was exhausted and not feeling well because I had just completed a cancer treatment at UCSF Medical Center. Because of this, and the fact I am somewhat disabled from a broken hip, I was worried about my personal safety in getting to my car in the BART garage. I explained this to the attendant in the station kiosk. She kindly located two BART police officers who good-naturedly escorted me to my car on the garage third floor. I am extremely grateful for the assistance the three of them provided me.

This morning, I had some problems with the parking app on my phone (operator error!!). I asked the lady in the booth for help with my issue. I explained my parking app was not working, what could I do? We tried a few more times but the app would not let me have access to my account (turns out I was using an incorrect email). Jennifer was very patient and explained I would need to buy a parking ticket. She showed me the parking machine and walked me through the process. I am 75 years old and disabled just getting to the BART is a challenge for me, so this issue just made things really difficult. Jennifer was a LIFE saver. She was kind, patient and very professional….Jennifer gave me the BEST customer service I've received in a very long time.

I just saw a pair of BART employees engage someone who was out of sorts and sleeping on train seats. I was so impressed with the woman who led the engagement: she was calm, kind, and effective. She preserved the dignity of the person while also successfully having him exit the train. This was exemplary. I want to compliment her, her training, and thank her for the service she is providing to our community.

Keep an eye out for signs of gratitude in our stations, including some of our employees featured on posters in station agent booths, and listen for a special PA announcement recorded by BART General Manager Bob Powers if you’re traveling on BART today. And be sure to share your appreciation for any transit employees you encounter – even a smile or wave goes a long way.

Thank you, BART staff and all other transit employees. Today, we salute you!

Read about some of our amazing employees

How a BART Crisis Intervention Specialist helped a mother find her lost son and get him into treatment

Meet the Tango team, the mainline technicians who fix trains while they’re moving

How BART's Earthquake Response Team is preparing for the next "Big One"

This 1,200-pound gear makes escalators run. Fixing it is no simple task.

How BART replaced a key transformer in the core of the system on a whirlwind schedule

Transit is punk: Kamala Parks went from cofounding 924 Gilman Street to urban planning at BART

Cleaner trains than ever: Meet the team that has five minutes to clean every BART train 

With $300 in her wallet and a dream, one BART track operator forged her own path 

BART Chief of Police on BART’s 1972 opening day and a lifetime riding trains 

Serial entrepreneur turned Station Agent trainee reflects on his journey to BART 

10 Questions with Train Operator Shinita Garza 

BART employee stars in new film about famed sign spinner 

Train Car Electricians are the neurosurgeons of BART 

BART trains now deep-cleaned twice as often -- meet the employees who make it happen 

Dispatchers are the “behind-the-scenes heroes” of BART Police 

Financial Analysts at BART meld science with art 

Train Car Mechanics keep BART trains on the go 

From McDonald’s and Dennys to trains and trackways: How working in food service formed top engineering manager Ni Lee’s work philosophy 

Podcast: A lifelong passion for transit inspires a BART Supervisor to improve your ride 

BART Train Operator Dewayne Deams on the lessons he learned from his great-grandfather, transit trailblazer Curtis E. Green 

From the third rail to station lightbulbs, BART Electricians keep the system energized 

BART’s Terri Hodges on saying what she feels, meaning what she says, and bringing a dash of weird to the workplace 

BART's Mark Nagales honored his grandmother’s memory with one final trip on a legacy train 

What it takes to deep clean a BART station – a process BART recently doubled in frequency