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Senate Bill (SB) 63 is a historic opportunity to allow voters in five counties of the Bay Area to consider a 14-year sales tax measure in November 2026 to preserve and improve transit. BART, and the entire transit network that keeps the Bay Area moving, stand to benefit from this bill. 

The legislation is needed because remote work has caused a decline in operating revenue for various operators and deficits are too large to solve through cuts alone.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been clear that BART’s outdated funding model no longer works. BART is facing annual operating deficits of $350-400 million once the emergency assistance we have been provided runs out at the end of Fiscal Year 2026.  

The BART Board of Directors supports SB 63 because it will cover a significant portion of BART’s operating deficit and allow us to maintain current service levels and improve the rider experience. BART will continue to identify additional cost savings and efficiencies to address our deficit, and we welcome the enhanced accountability measures and financial efficiency review included in SB 63.

BART is grateful to Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín for championing this legislation and their fierce advocacy for transit funding. 

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. 
 

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, members of the BART Police Department and their families gathered at BART PD Headquarters for the 13th Annual BART PD Awards Ceremony, a celebration of the officers, professional staff, civilians, and good Samaritans who went above and beyond to keep the system safe over the past year. 

The annual event offers a moment to reflect on the department’s achievements and the progress made across the BART system. There is much to recognize in 2025; as of October, overall crime is down 45% year over year, with violent crime declining by 32% and property crime dropping 47%. 

The New BART emphasizes providing a welcoming experience to riders from departure to arrival, and the steadfast dedication of BART PD officers and civilian staff uplifts this mission.

“We’ve made a huge advancement in safety this year,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin in his opening remarks. “Let’s continue to build on this progress in the new year.” 

During the ceremony, Chief Franklin presented nine awards to twenty honorees. Congratulations to this year’s recipients: 

Good Samaritan Award 

BART Station Agent Shalana Penyweit; Damon Bonadie and Raqheali Bonadie 

Community Service Award 

Analyst Jennifer Bowman

Civilian of the Year 

Supervisor Jason DeVera 

Excellence in Service Award 

Community Service Officer Justin Sap, Officer Miguel Cortez-Valdez 

Exceptional Case Award 

Officer Tyler Espino, Officer Rafael Arreola, Officer Todd Hubbard, Officer Michael McPeak, Community Service Officer Roland Laureta, Detective Teaundre Matthews, Sergeant Erik Rose 

Life-Saving Award 

Officer Garrett Dibble, Officer Brandan Trammell 

Dispatcher of the Year 

Dispatcher Alicia Hernandez 

Officer of the Year 

Officer Brandan Trammell 

Chief’s Award 

Manager Matthew Cromer 

The Oakland Ballers play at Raimondi Park, located a little less than one mile from the West Oakland BART Station. 

Walking from West Oakland BART to Raimondi Park

From West Oakland, head north on Mandela Parkway, then make a left on 18th or 20th Street to find the park's entrance.

BART and AC Transit

Take BART to West Oakland and AC Transit bus 29 to Raimondi Park.

Free Shuttle

The Oakland Ballers, in partnership with Douglas Parking, will have shuttles from West Oakland BART to Campbell between 18th and 20th, running every 20 minutes starting 3 hours before game time and a half hour after the game ends

For more information, visit the Baller's Website.

Enjoy the animated "BART race" that will appear on the scoreboard between innings.