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BART's first employee, former General Manager B.R. Stokes, passes away
Stokes (left) with President Richard M. Nixon and his wife, Pat, in September 1972. By Mike Healy Former BART Spokesman Former BART General Manger B.R. (Bill) Stokes passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 15, at his daughter’s home in Sammamish, Wash. He was 89. Stokes was considered a pioneer in the
Giants, A's players featured on back of BART tickets for Comcast SportsNet promotion
Comcast SportsNet and BART have announced the start of the Comcast SportsNet Collectors’ Series promotion for the 2009 Major League Baseball season. Through the end of July, 1.5 million limited edition baseball-themed BART tickets will be available to BART riders systemwide. Each month, a new San Francisco
Areas to be closed around BART Administration Building above Lake Merritt Station
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has recently discovered a safety issue in connection with the Lake Merritt Administration Building. Due to deterioration of the building, pieces of the concrete panels have loosened and could pose a threat of falling off the building into the plaza
October 17: BART participates in Great California ShakeOut 2024
BART will participate in the 2024 International ShakeOut Day earthquake drill on Thursday, October 17, to test our emergency response systems and to help raise public awareness of the importance of having a plan and being prepared.
At 10:17am, BART staff will trigger our ShakeAlert early warning earthquake system to ensure it is functioning and working correctly. Once triggered, trains will automatically slow down to 27 mph. Then all trains will come to a very brief stop. BART will also make a systemwide public announcement encouraging riders to be prepared for earthquakes. BART will also test our internal communications systems to notify employees and the Operations Control Center will observe earthquake alarms and our train control systems to ensure they are working properly.
ShakeAlert Early Warning Earthquake System
BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert system, which is connected to seismic stations located throughout Northern California. When the alarm is triggered, the system sends a speed restriction command to trains. This system removes human response time and can even slow trains down before the shaking occurs depending on how far away the quake is centered.
BART to Simulate Damage Inspections
BART has added simulated damage inspections to its ShakeAlert drill. Shortly after ShakeAlert is triggered Thursday, about 60 engineers will divide into teams and fan out to all 50 stations to conduct structural assessments. The engineers will inspect walkways, support structures, elevators, escalators – anything that could sustain damage in a powerful earthquake. The simulation is designed to identify areas for improvement and to exercise “muscle memory” for BART’s earthquake response.
Emergency Response Plan
BART has an Earthquake Emergency Response Plan, and we hold several drills a year to ensure staff is trained and ready to respond. In the event of an earthquake, riders should listen for instructions from BART personnel. Employees are trained to evacuate the public from dangerous areas. Following an earthquake, BART trains are held in place (except for trains in the Transbay Tube and BART Caldecott Tunnel) until it is determined it is safe to move the train to the nearest station where riders will be offboarded.
Earthquake Safety Tips
Where will you be and what will you do when the next big earthquake hits? Taking time to consider these questions now could help if you ever do find yourself in an earthquake.
LISTEN FOR INSTRUCTIONS
That’s one reason why the first guideline in a BART emergency is to follow instructions from BART personnel. The BART Operations Control Center is in constant communication with trains and Station Agents and is in the best position to manage emergencies and provide direction for the public.
ON A TRAIN
If you’re on a train during an earthquake, Train Operators will follow BART’s established emergency plan and provide you with important information. Sit down or grab a handhold to avoid injury. If an evacuation is necessary, emergency response personnel will coordinate.
IN A STATION
If you’re in a station during an earthquake, back away from the edge of the trackway. If you’re in the station concourse, don’t proceed to the platform. Instead, prepare to evacuate the station under the direction of BART personnel.
TRY TEXTING
No matter where you are, emergency experts recommend using text messaging instead of cell calls to communicate with family and loved ones in an emergency. Cell networks can be overwhelmed if everyone’s trying to call at the same time; text messages can be more efficient.
Earthquake Safety Program Completed in 2024
In September 2024, BART completed its Earthquake Safety Program, which retrofitted vulnerable high traffic portions of the original system to make it safer in a large quake. The Earthquake Safety Program was funded in part by Measure AA, a $980 million general obligation BART bond approved by voters in 2004. The program focused on upgrading portions of the original system not only for life safety but also to ensure that we can return to operation shortly after a major earthquake.
Visit Shakeout.org for simple safety steps during earthquakes.
BART seeks input on proposed pilot program for low-income rider discount
BART’s Office of Civil Rights is sponsoring outreach on a proposed pilot program that would give a fare discount to low-income riders. This outreach is required as part of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs that receive
BART partners to host 12th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Schoolchildren and seniors alike were captivated by the Lion Dancers at the 2016 Lunar New Year celebration on February 9, 2016 at the Lincoln Square Recreation Center. On January 26, 2017, Alameda County, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Asian Community Collaborative will host the 12 th
New train posters emphasize unruly behavior is not welcome on BART
Amid an overall decline in crime and an increase in BART PD’s visible safety presence BART is posting 400 posters inside its Fleet of the Future train cars targeting unwanted activities such as harassment, smoking, and unruly behavior. The new signs proclaim, “Unruly behavior can ruin a ride.” They back up BART’s commitment to a safe ride by emphasizing BART PD in 2024 issued 5,000 Code of Conduct citations and 16,500 fare evasion-related citations.
“These new posters are a way for us to tell our riders that we hear their concerns about safety and are enforcing the Code of Conduct,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “The posters are helpful, but the real work in making BART safer is being done on a daily basis by both our sworn and non-sworn staff who are helping us deliver on our pledge to double our visible presence in the system.”
BART is continuing to implement its Safe and Clean Plan as it continues to welcome riders back to the system. Crime was down 17% in 2024 even as BART ridership increased by 2.6 million trips from the previous year.
BART’s commitment to rider safety includes the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all 50 stations by the end of this year. The new gates have already been installed at 27 stations and are making a difference in deterring fare evasion. The public is noticing the difference already with a nearly one-third decline in the number of riders who report seeing fare evasion during their trip.
Anyone who sees unruly behavior on BART can text BART PD at 510-200-0992. You can also download the free BART Watch app, which allows you to send a discreet text description of what you’re seeing along with a photo.
BART holds open houses to get feedback on design concepts for new trains
BART invites you to an Open House to help us design the next generation of BART trains. BART has the oldest cars in the nation and the fleet needs to be replaced to avoid future breakdowns and delays. We will have drawings of three interior design concepts and one exterior design concept for the Fleet of the
BART Board elects Janice Li President and Mark Foley Vice President
BART Director Janice Li urged fellow Board members to “push ourselves to do more” as she assumed the Board Presidency December 15th following a unanimous vote to elect her to the leadership position. Li, who represent District 8 in San Francisco, served as Board Vice President in 2022 and she thanked outgoing
BART salutes our military veterans' commitment to public service
Note: There will be no change to our current weekday service on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.
Ahead of Veterans Day, BART celebrates employees who served and acknowledges their ongoing commitment to public service.
"There are more than 200 military veterans in our BART family who each and every day contribute their experiences, values, and expertise to our organization," said General Manager Bob Powers. "We all benefit from what they bring to BART, as do our riders."
Last month, BART Communications reached out to BART veterans with a few questions: How are the lessons and skills you gained in the military reflected in your work at BART? Why did you wish to continue your public service in a different capacity? Why are you proud to be a BART employee and a veteran?
You can read their responses in the slideshows on this page. To pause on an image, left click and hold your cursor on the image.
BART salutes our nation's veterans and thanks them for their service.
