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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  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been clear that BART’s outdated funding model no longer works.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. 

Updated May 23, 2024

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the BART Board of Directors appointed Melissa Hernandez to the seat representing District 5.

Hernandez is the first Latina to serve on the BART Board of Directors. District 5 lies in Alameda County and its boundaries currently include the cities/regions of Castro Valley, Cherryland, Dublin, Fairview, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol.

For the last eight years, Hernandez has served as a Dublin councilmember and is currently the city’s mayor. She has chaired three regional transit boards: the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), Tri Valley/San Joaquin Valley Regional Transportation Authority (Valley Link) and the Finance committee of the Alameda County Transportation Commission. 

“My vision is to keep public transportation working for everyone – and to keep BART reliable, affordable, and safe for everyone who rides,” said Hernandez, “By fostering dialogue with my colleagues, partnerships with state and Federal agencies and leaders, and championing equitable policies, I will strive to create a more inclusive and accessible transportation system that benefits everyone.”

“Melissa Hernandez is going to be able to walk into many of the rooms that we need to have leadership and representation, whether that’s in Sacramento or with the San Jose Extension,” said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. “Melissa has a tremendous set of experiences and is well known. Former Director John McPartland has been supportive of Melissa’s candidacy and that heartens me as well." 

The BART Board of Directors is comprised of nine elected officials from the nine BART districts. The District 5 seat became vacant on March 28, 2024, when John McPartland announced his immediate resignation from the BART Board. McPartland cited family matters as his reason for needing to step down. His current term was through December 6, 2024. 

Hernandez and two other individuals who submitted applications were interviewed by the Board at their May 9, 2024 regular meeting.

Hernandez will serve as the District 5 representative through the unexpired portion of the current term. If Hernandez wishes to continue serving on the Board of Directors after the current term expires, she will need to run for election to the seat in the general election to be held in November 2024. 

 Updated May 9, 2024.

The application period for the seat representing District 5 on the BART Board of Directors is now closed. The Board of Directors conducted interviews of the applicants on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00am at their board meeting. Watch the meeting.

The Board of Directors are expected to make an appointment at the May 23, 2024 Board meeting.

The following individuals submitted timely applications for the Board of Directors’ consideration:

1. Bruce Delevaux - View the submitted application. 
2. Melissa Hernandez - View the submitted application. 
3. Gabriel Rodrigues - View the submitted application.

Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected]. 

Updated April 12, 2024

At the April 11, 2024 board meeting the BART Board of Directors approved a motion to move forward with filling the District 5 vacant seat using an appointment process. 

All interested applicants must complete and submit an application form and packet as outlined below. Application packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The application materials outlined below must be submitted to the Office of the District Secretary via email at [email protected] or in person/via courier at BART Headquarters, 2150 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612. 

Failure to complete all parts of the application form or to submit all required application materials may result in rejection of the application. All finalists are subject to a background check prior to appointment.

The Application Packet Includes:

1. Application Form (download and fill it out)
2. Background Check Form (download and fill it out)
3. Cover Letter
4. Resume
5. Two (2) References

Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected]. We encourage all applicants to monitor the District’s Board Agenda and Minutes webpage to view agendas for upcoming Board Meetings.

Visit the District 5 Vacancy page for information and updates.

Applicants must be a registered voter and resident of the geographical boundaries of District 5. Eligibility can be verified by contacting the Alameda County Registrar of Voters located at 1225 Fallon Street, Rm. G-1, Oakland, CA 94612 (phone: 510-272-6973). You may review district boundaries on the District Boundaries webpage.

The successful applicant will serve as the representative for District 5 through the unexpired portion of the current term, which expires on December 6, 2024. If the appointed applicant wishes to continue serving on the Board of Directors after the current term for the seat representing District 5 expires, they must run for election to the seat in the general election to be held on November 5, 2024. The term of service for all newly elected Board Members is four years. Information about elections is posted on the Director Elections webpage.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are generally held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, duties include service on Board Committees, representing BART on various external Boards and Committees, and attendance at special meetings and other meetings as required. Board members that meet attendance requirements receive a monthly stipend of approximately $2,026.91. Board Members are also eligible to receive medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. We've posted other helpful links and resources below. 

On March 28, 2024, John McPartland announced he is resigning from the BART Board effective immediately. McPartland cited family matters as his reason for needing to step down from his elected position. McPartland’s current term was through December 6, 2024.

McPartland has served on the Board since he was elected in November 2008. Before joining the Board, McPartland was a BART Safety Specialist and a retired Oakland Fire Department Battalion Fire Chief. 

BART Board President Bevan Dufty announced the resignation at today’s Board meeting and noted he will put an item on the agenda of the next Board meeting on April 11, 2024, to discuss next steps. 

Due to the vacancy, the Board may appoint a Director to the District 5 seat by majority vote by May 27, 2024. If the Board does not make an appointment by May 27, 2024, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors may make an appointment by June 27, 2024.

Typically, when there is a vacancy, the Board may also opt to call for a special election to fill the seat, however due to the timing of the November 2024 election, this is not a practical option.

If there is an appointed District 5 Director they will serve until the expiration of the current term, which is December 6, 2024. If the District 5 Director wishes to continue serving in the seat through the next four-year term, they will be required to run for election to the seat on November 5, 2024.

The person appointed to the seat must be a resident of District 5 which includes Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and parts of Hayward and Unincorporated Alameda County. The BART stations include Castro Valley, Dublin/Pleasanton, Hayward, West Dublin/Pleasanton.

Questions related to next steps should be directed to BART Board President Bevan Dufty at [email protected].

This article was originally published March 28, 2024.

BART is seeking applicants to serve as public members on its Audit Committee, which assists the Board of Directors in providing oversight for financial management, operational effectiveness, ethics and regulatory compliance. 

The Audit Committee is comprised of five voting members, including three Board Directors and two public members with governmental financial expertise. It meets at least four times per year, with authority to convene additional meetings as needed.

Criteria for the position include:

• Expertise: Have expertise in governmental accounting, financial management, or Performance auditing, or conducting investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse;
• Technical Knowledge: Have technical knowledge of accounting, financial or performance auditing, financial reporting, and internal controls, including an understanding of and ability to apply the Government Auditing Standards, accounting standards issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board, and a recognized internal control framework;
• Professional Certification: Possess a relevant professional certification, such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Inspector General, Certified Internal Controls Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, or a similar certification. Relevant experience may substitute for such certification in the Board’s discretion; 
• No conflicts/recent affiliations: Within the past 10 years and other than in their role as a committee member, have no affiliation with the District or with a firm that has done business with the District.

Public members serving on the Audit Committee must be appointed by a majority of the full Board of Directors through this application process. Public members must possess the independence, experience, and collective technical expertise necessary to carry out the duties of the Audit Committee. Public members must be residents within the District's boundaries and are subject to conflict-of-interest laws.

The application process has two phases. In Phase 1, all applications will be reviewed to meet all requirements and qualifications, letters of recommendations and any supplemental documents. In Phase 2, selected candidates will be invited to appear before the Board of Directors to briefly explain their interest in serving on the committee, followed by a Board vote. 

Download the application form, Audit Committee Public Member appointment rules, and the Audit Committee Charter.