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Several key indicators BART uses to measure success are showing significant progress in efforts to showcase a new and improved BART experience.  New data shows ridership growth and improvements to safety, cleanliness, satisfaction, and reducing fare evasion.

Strong Saturday ridership 

Total ridership grew 6.4% in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 over the same quarter last year. Weekday ridership increased nearly 7% over the same quarter last year, while weekends had even bigger gains as more families are taking BART to events. The average Saturday had a 14% ridership increase and the average Sunday ridership grew by more than 8% compared to the same quarter last year. The Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) also showed customer satisfaction is at 84%, train cleanliness improved by 58% year over year, and station cleanliness improved 52% year over year.​

These gains come as BART has focused all available resources on implementing its Safe and Clean Plan. The comprehensive approach to transforming the rider experience includes a surge in BART PD’s visible safety presence on trains and in stations as well as doubling the rate of deep cleanings for trains. Another huge improvement for the rider experience is running only new Fleet of the Future trains.

Safety staff presence brings order in the system

In the latest QPR, overall robberies decreased from 42 in the previous quarter to 21 while electronic theft decreased from 43 in the previous quarter to 21. Crimes against persons decreased from 9.56 last quarter to 6.22 crimes per one million trips in the third quarter of this year.​ These gains come as police-related customer service complaints dropped by 63% year over year, showing an improved perception of safety from riders.

“The BART Police Department is seeing firsthand the transformation that is taking place at BART thanks to the dedication of our sworn officers, ambassadors, fare inspectors, crisis intervention specialists, and community service officers,” said Kevin Franklin, BART’s Chief of Police. “Riding BART today is nothing like what it was during the pandemic. Our new deployment strategies and proactive enforcement is providing a more welcoming experience for families in our stations and trains.”  

BART's efforts to harden the system, led by the installation of its Next Generation Fare Gates, are being recognized as the number of riders who say they’ve witnessed fare evasion has reached a new low for the past five quarters, going from 24% in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 to 15% in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. The stronger gates feature a state-of-the-art locking mechanism as well as sensors that improve access for riders in wheelchairs as well as those using strollers or carrying luggage. The new gates have been installed in 40 stations so far and will be in place in all 50 BART stations by the end of this year.

Key rider safety reports via the BART Watch app are also declining

Riders are reporting fewer safety concerns and issues related to Code of Conduct violations and people needing welfare checks through the BART Watch App. 

The number of Code of Conduct related reports sent by riders decreased this latest quarter to 2,398 reports, compared to 3166 during the same quarter last year. Requests for welfare checks also decreased to 680 requests, compared to 763 for the same quarter last year- meaning there are fewer people who look like they can't care for themselves. BART recently placed 400 posters in its train cars targeting unwanted activities such as smoking, harassment, and unruly behavior. These posters reinforce BART PD’s commitment to enforcing the Code of Conduct and providing a welcoming environment for all riders.

There’s a lot to love about BARTy. 

BARTy is BART’s mascot, and if you live in the Bay Area, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the cartoon train out on the town (or on social media). It's got big dewy eyes, perpetually blushing cheeks, and a square head-slash-body. You can't miss the lil' guy and its smattering of accessories, be it binoculars, rainbow sweatbands, or a Ballers baseball cap. 

Since 2019, BARTy has been appearing on BART t-shirts, stickers, graphics, and signage. There are now more than 20 iterations of the anthropomorphized train – sugar skull BARTy, cricket player BARTy, Frankenstein’s monster BARTy, etcetera. 

But before all that, BARTy was a seven-year-old's sketch. 

It was winter break in 2019, and BART graphic designer Joe Lash brought his seven-year-old son to the office with him. There was much to be done in the office that day, and Lash needed something to entertain his kid while he got some work done.  

“That year, I was tasked with designing a t-shirt for employees to wear in the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco,” Lash remembered. “I was coming up with a bunch of concepts, and I said to my son, ‘Why don’t you draw some, too?’”  

His son got to work sketching. Every one of his designs featured a square train with a smiling face, and because it was the Year of the Rat, the seven-year-old added a rat and cat “dabbing” on top of the train. 

“That drawing didn’t make the final cut, but the square train design did,” Lash said. “That was the birth of BARTy.” 

People loved those Chinese New Year t-shirts, so the BART Creative Services team decided to try the concept again for St. Patrick’s Day. Things went totally off the rails from there. 

“At the time, we were thinking about designing a new BARTmobile, and I was working on various faces for it,” Lash said of the mini train that BART rolls out for parades and events. “I thought a kawaii-style face would be awesome for it.” Kawaii means “cute” in Japanese. It’s a popular aesthetic style that emphasizes adorableness and simplicity, often characterized by rounded shapes, big eyes, and soft colors.

BART graphic designer Joe Lash with three "BARTys on a stick."

A new BARTmobile never came to be, but the facial concepts Lash designed for the vehicle stuck with him. And got stuck on BARTy. 

In the years since its conception, every BART graphic designer has created many BARTys for many occasions. Part of the appeal of the character is its adaptability. Fourth of July? Add an Uncle Sam hat. Pride parade? Make BARTy dance on a disco ball. Halloween? BARTy becomes a pumpkin. 

The character has taken on a life of its own. Sometimes, you’ll see BARTy in social media videos wandering the system on a stick (unlike BART trains, BARTy doesn’t have functioning wheels and require some assistance). Other times, you might find the cartoon on BART valentines or even informational ads on trains.

“BARTy really taps into what BART means to the Bay Area,” said BART Marketing Manager Roderick McFarland. “BARTy isn’t just BART, it’s a part of the community, every holiday, every celebration—from Lunar New Year to Dia de los Muertos and 4th of July to Hanukkah. It’s about being seen, acknowledged, and valued. BART employees come from every possible Bay Area community, and BART serves every community. BARTy is a playful embodiment of that relationship.” 

People outside of BART have run with the concept, too, designing their own versions of BARTy. We invite you to do the same by downloading this printable template. Share your drawing with us by tagging us on social media! Find some inspiration below from the BARTy masterpieces created by riders at SweaterFest '25.

The Passenger Information System on BART’s train cars is being updated to show major transit transfer connections at stations as part of a larger effort to make it easier for riders to navigate the Bay Area’s transit systems. The screens now also include the color of the BART line – not just the destination – to provide consistent information across all platforms and BART system maps.

Riders can now look at the six screens inside each BART train car as they approach a station to see major transit lines they can board nearby. The screens will not only show transfers to other BART lines at that station but also transfers to San Francisco Muni Metro light rail Metro trains, cable cars, and street cars near BART’s San Francisco stations.  

Amtrak connections will also appear at Richmond and Coliseum stations, and riders approaching Embarcadero Station will see an icon for ferry connections. 

The screen update demonstrates how Bay Area transit agencies are acting as one network to better serve the Bay Area. The effort is also part of BART’s ongoing efforts to make navigating the Bay Area’s transit connections and transfers easier so that people can seamlessly move between systems. Transit coordination is a key priority for Bay Area transit general managers, who meet on a weekly basis to discuss how regional transit can become even more rider-focused and efficient.  

Last month, BART, Bay Area transit agencies, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) unveiled new test transit maps and signs designed to help make transit journeys easier to understand for both existing and new riders by delivering information that is clear, predictable, and familiar across service areas and county lines.

By making maps, signage, and wayfinding easier to navigate for riders, we hope to improve the overall rider experience and boost ridership across the regional transportation network.  

BART riders can now access free Wi-Fi 6E at five heavily travelled stations, ensuring seamless connectivity for fans and residents ahead of Super Bowl LX-related events. 

The first five stations — San Francisco International Airport, West Oakland, Embarcadero, Civic Center, and Powell Street — are now live, providing station visitors with critical connectivity, especially during one of the busiest ridership weeks of the year.  

This launch marks the first milestone in a comprehensive digital transformation project that will bring state-of-the-art Wi-Fi connectivity to all BART stations over the next couple of years, followed by onboard connectivity on all BART trains. 

The Wi-Fi is powered by Boldyn Networks, a leading neutral host provider. BART riders will access the SSID network named “BART Wi-Fi," and no password or email is required. Sessions on the network will last 20 minutes, and users will be required to confirm they are still actively using the network beyond 20 minutes.  

Once users select to join the BART Wi-Fi network, their device will present an option to connect automatically. If that option is selected, their device will remember the SSID. When within the coverage area of the network, their device will automatically join the SSID, and a captive portal page will be presented to ensure they are still active on the network. 

“Offering high-quality Wi-Fi is being responsive to the needs of our riders and will enhance the customer experience by providing connectivity,” said Ravi Misra, Assistant General Manager of Technology at BART. “Boldyn worked with us to deliver this initial phase as the Bay Area takes to the world stage for the Big Game, and more upgrades are slated in the months and years to come.”   

SFO and Powell Street stations were prioritized as Super Bowl fans will be flying into San Francisco for the festivities, and families will be using Powell Street Station to access the official Super Bowl Experience and San Francisco Fan Zone by the station. 

Travelers moving through these hubs can now access Wi-Fi 6E technology, which utilizes 6GHz spectrum to deliver reliable, blanket coverage of the stations. 

Benefits of the new Wi-Fi service include:​ 

• Eases strain on cell network during high-density events.​ 
• Overall, phones perform better when connected to reliable Wi-Fi, especially in a congested area. It saves battery life too. 
• Essential for international visitors to communicate without a U.S. roaming plan.​ 
• Ensures uninterrupted connectivity for medical/health monitoring devices.​ 
• Ensures riders can access digital fare payments and emergency communications. 

After these initial five stations, BART plans to deploy Wi-Fi at 16th Street, 24th Street, Balboa Park, Glen Park, and Daly City stations by June. Remaining stations are expected to be completed by early 2028. 

Free Wi-Fi comes at no cost to BART 

Offering Wi-Fi to riders comes at no cost to BART because of our Licensing Agreement with Boldyn Networks (formerly Mobilitie LLC) that was entered into in 2020. The agreement allows Boldyn to use BART property to deploy cellular and fiber-optic infrastructure to enable: 

• 5G cellular coverage in the SFMTA (Muni) underground 
• New fiber-optic capacity through the Transbay Tube 
• Multiple cellular installations around the Bay Area 

This Agreement allows major service providers, like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, and many others, to deliver the connectivity people rely on. BART receives a share of telecom revenue generated on BART property—estimated at approximately $200 million over 20 years—along with ownership of several new assets. One of those assets is station Wi-Fi, which is provided to BART at no cost. Boldyn is responsible for the full cost of installing, operating, and maintaining the Wi-Fi system. 

On May 6, 2025, at around 5:30pm, BART Police K9 Baron sprang into action following a shooting near 14th Street and Broadway in Downtown Oakland. After the armed suspect fled the scene, Baron and his handler, BART Officer Saechao, came to the assistance of the Oakland Police Department. The pair tracked a blood trail for nearly one mile and recovered a handgun that was discarded out of plain sight in a flower planter box. 

Baron had recently completed a Canine Tracking Course thanks to Officer Saechao’s leadership enrolling his K9 and accompanying Baron to the course. At the planter box, Baron showed clear behavior that something related to the shooting was located there, and Officer Saechao accurately read the behavior. All BART K9s have undergone detection and patrol training, but Baron is the only one with tracking training. 

K9 Baron was rewarded for his great performance with treats and love. 

"It is truly remarkable Baron tracked the discarded weapon so far away, and BART is grateful to have Baron's talent on our team," said Kevin Franklin, BART Chief of Police.

BART Police use K9's to help patrol BART property, including responding to calls related to unattended packages and other circumstances.