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Join BART as our new Anime Mascots overtake Powell St. Station for Transit Month and BART’s 51st anniversary. Take photos with the mascots, make buttons with staff, grab a prize from the BART capsule ball machine, and meet cosplayers! Come in cosplay and get a rare BART anime charm. 

The Link21 outreach team will also be there to talk about our project to build a second train crossing connecting Oakland and San Francisco. 

When: Saturday, September 16, 2pm-6pm
Where: Powell Street Station in the free area on the concourse level between BART secondary Station Agent booth and Muni agent booth (4th and Market entrance/exit)

Learn more about BART's Anime Mascots at bart.gov/anime.

BART is grateful to Governor Newsom for signing Senate Bill (SB) 63 into law. The Governor has been a steadfast advocate of transit and BART specifically, recognizing our role in moving the region and strengthening the economy. SB 63 is a historic opportunity to allow voters in five counties of the Bay Area to consider a sales tax measure in November 2026 aimed at preserving and improving transit. 

A regional transportation funding measure would provide a reliable funding source for BART and other agencies to address deficits caused by remote work. The BART Board of Directors supported 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. 

Before measure funds become available, BART will rely on internal cuts, efficiency measures, and a series of one-time solutions to pay for operations. 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 also grateful to Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín for championing this legislation and their fierce advocacy for transit funding. 

BART’s new two-year budget maintains train service levels and staffing for enhanced safety and cleaning efforts while avoiding cuts that will have a negative impact on the local economy, traffic conditions, and the state’s ambitious climate goals. The BART Board of Directors voted to adopt the budget at its June 13, 2024, meeting.

The budget prioritizes the systemwide installation of new, taller, fare gates to add an additional layer of security at stations. As the new fare gates will make it harder to skip paying the fare, the budget continues to fund the newly increased discount for low-income riders, offering 50% off trips through the Clipper Start program.

“It’s more important than ever that we provide the best service possible for our nearly 200,000 riders we serve each day and to attract new riders,” said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. “This sensible budget preserves shorter wait times between trains, better weekend and evening service and, overall, more convenient public transportation to serve as an alternative to driving.” 

Operating Budget Focuses on Improvements to the Rider Experience

The $1.1 billion FY25 operating budget supports optimized train schedules and train lengths. With more people working from home and commuting less during the traditional rush hours, the schedule introduced in September 2023 eliminated 30-minute wait times by increasing train service during evenings and weekends while maintaining adequate daytime service on weekdays. The longest interval between scheduled trains is 20 minutes and most riders have options about every 10 minutes until 9pm on weekdays. 

The budget relies on right-sized trains to reduce costs, which also results in improved safety and cleanliness. BART now operates 8-car trains on the Yellow Line as well as selected Red and Blue line trains, and 6-car trains on all other lines on weekdays and weekends. This has reduced traction power costs by almost 20% and decreases mileage on the fleet overall.

The budget supports BART’s focus on safety and security and ensuring police are riding trains more, increasing their visibility, and deterring crime. BART Police will continue to recruit to fill all vacant officer positions and the General Manager has committed to adding 19 additional officer positions once vacancies are filled. Unarmed Crisis Intervention Specialists, Ambassadors, and Fare Inspectors will continue to ride trains to boost BART’s visible safety presence. 

Capital Budget Prioritizes Reliability and Reinvestment

The $1.2 billion FY25 capital budget provides funding dedicated to important rider improvements such as the Next Generation Fare Gate program, escalator replacement, new train cars and Measure RR rebuilding projects.
It’s designed to be a flexible spending plan with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and project schedules, yet the capital budget retains a central focus: 98% of BART’s planned capital investment in FY25 and FY26 will be in System Reinvestment – investments to keep BART’s existing system reliable and safe – and Service & Capacity Enhancement – investments to enhance the rider experience, support more frequent service and add system redundancy to improve reliability.

Manageable Near-Term Outlook

While the FY25 operating budget is balanced, the FY26 operating budget faces a $35 million dollar deficit. Measures are being taken to reduce the projected deficit, such as containing discretionary expenses. A 5.5% inflation-based fare increase on January 1, 2025, combined with an identical fare increase this past New Year’s Day, is estimated to generate an additional $20 million over the two-year budget term. BART will also defer some operating budget allocations to capital projects. 

“We have a number of options still available to address the FY26 operating deficit,” said BART Assistant General Manager for Performance & Budget Pamela Herhold. “We’ll be working with the Board throughout the coming year to chart the best course of action.”

Uncertainty Mid and Long-Term Outlook

The outlook after FY26 changes dramatically as BART is expected to exhaust the remaining emergency federal and state funding. One-time federal emergency assistance of $1.6 billion has allowed BART to sustain operations since 2020, but the last of this funding will be spent in FY25. SB 125 state and regional assistance of $352 million, to be allocated in 2024 and 2025, will also be used to offset operating deficits over the FY25 & FY26 budget period.

In FY27, BART’s first fiscal year without emergency assistance, the deficit is projected to be $385 million. Since BART’s outdated model of relying on passenger fares to pay most operating costs is no longer feasible, the agency must modernize its funding sources to better match other transit systems throughout the country that receive larger amounts of public funding. BART needs a more reliable long-term source of operating funding and continues to advocate at the federal, state, and regional levels for the permanent funding needed to sustainably provide the quality transit service the Bay Area needs.  

Trunk or Treat will be bigger and better than ever this spooky season! BART invites families to hop onboard an activity-filled and highly decorated Halloween Train that will travel from Dublin/Pleasanton Station to BART PD’s annual Trunk or Treat at Lake Merritt Station. The celebration will be held on Tuesday, October 28.  

Wear your costumes and meet us at Dublin/Pleasanton or Lake Merritt to celebrate Halloween with BART! Both events are free to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. RSVPing is required to ride the Halloween Train.

RSVPs for Halloween Train are full - waitlist only. If you weren't able to get a spot, join us at Trunk or Treat!

For the first time, BART will be running a Halloween Train, decorated just for us by local designer La Vie Posh! The train will depart Dublin/Pleasanton Station at 5pm sharp and will take attendees to Lake Merritt Station (with no stops) to enjoy Trunk or Treat. Before the train leaves, BART will host family-friendly activities, including a balloon artist and Station Agent booth trick-or-treating at Dublin/Pleasanton starting at 4:30pm. Dress up for the costume contest -- there will be a special prize for transit themed costumes. 

RSVPing is required to ride the special Halloween event train. Registration is limited to 225 people. All ages are welcome.

Those riding the special event train will need $5.45 on their Clipper cards or can use BART’s new contactless bank card fare payment system, Tap and Ride. Each person needs their own card or device to enter at the fare gates. Children 4 and under ride free.  

“This Halloween-themed train ride is a great way to introduce your children to BART and to teach them how to ride the train in a safe and fun way,” said BART Board Vice President Melissa Hernandez, who represents Dublin/Pleasanton Station. 

BART PD's Trunk or Treat will run from 4pm to 7pm at the Lake Merritt Station Plaza, where families will enjoy tons of activities, including trick-or-treating around the plaza at decorated police vehicles stocked full of candy. Other activities include caricatures by local artists Cat Xu and Tucky Art, carnival-style games, minute-to-win-it games, prizes, treats, free caricatures and surprises!

Event details

Halloween Train 

• Date: Tuesday, October 28
• Dublin/Pleasanton Station activities: 4:30pm – 5pm
• Halloween Train departure: 5:00pm
• Lake Merritt arrival: 5:35pm
• Cost: Free to attend – regular BART fares apply ($5.45 for the one-way trip). Kids 4 and under ride free.
• Activities: Specially decorated event train plus a costume contest, balloon artist, and Station Agent booth trick-or-treating at the station
• RSVP here - RSVPs full. If you didn't get a spot, meet us at Trunk or Treat!

Trunk or Treat 

• Date: Tuesday, October 28
• Location: Lake Merritt Station
• Hours: 4pm to 7pm
• Cost: Free
• Activities: Caricatures by local artists Cat Xu and Tucky Art, Carnival-style games, minute-to-win-it games, prizes, treats, free caricatures by and other surprises 

BART is activating its trains and stations to create welcoming spaces for families that are safe, fun, and community driven with events like the Halloween Train and Trunk or Treat. Find more fun stuff happening at BART at bart.gov/fun.  

Amid heightened fears of violence and profiling stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, BART and BART Police are reaffirming our commitment to stand together with the people of the Bay Area in opposing hate, violence, and acts of intolerance.  

We recognize many families in the Bay Area are grieving and worried about profiling and incidents of hate in public spaces. These thoughts may create barriers to mobility due to fear. No person should feel uncomfortable riding BART, and we are committed to fostering a community of care where people have safe passageways. BART is working to ensure that it remains a safe place for all people, regardless of ethnic or national origin, gender identity, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or immigration status.

If someone feels unsafe on BART, they should: 

• Move to another car away from what is making them feel unsafe. 
• Once in a different car, notify the train operator using the call box on each car or use the BART Watch app or text BART Police at 510-200-0992. 
• All station platforms have call boxes or white phones that connect with an employee at all hours of the day. 
• Wait in a safe place such as by the station agent booth if you are getting picked up at the station. 
• Practice safe bystander intervention if you witness harassment. 

Safe Bystander Intervention 

The bystander intervention approach is about centering the impacted person, their feelings, their experience, and their needs, while ignoring the attacker to prevent escalating the incident. 

There are four steps for safe bystander intervention.  

Step One: Assess the situation. 

• Does the harasser have a weapon? 
• If yes, call BART police at 510-464-7000  
• If no, continue with the intervention.  

Step Two: Ask another bystander to support you. Use phrases such as:

• Can you help me intervene by discreetly taking a picture/video of the situation? 
• Can you help me intervene by contacting the BART train operator using the train car intercom? 
• Can you help me intervene by noting the BART car number located above the end car doors? We will need it if we report this situation. 
• Can you help me intervene by keeping an eye out to make sure things do not escalate? 

Step Three: Approach the targeted person. Ignore the attacker. 

• Make sure the targeted person knows you are here to help.  
• You can say something like: “My name is Stephanie, I am here to help you.” 
• Ask for permission: “Can I sit/stand next to you?” 
• Ignore the attacker and engage in a conversation with the targeted person: “The weather has been nice lately,” or “Did you see the Warriors game?” 

Step Four: Offer options to the targeted person for how you can support them. 

• It helps to offer 2-3 options because in traumatic situations, people may panic and be unsure of what to do. 
• Use phrases such as:
  • Do you want me to walk you to your destination? 
  • Do you want to get off at the next station and wait for the next train with you? 
  • Do you want to move to another BART car with me? 
  • Do you want to report this to BART Police? If so, do you want me to be a witness in the report? 
• Respect the person’s wishes if they say no and they are okay. Give space if that is what is asked. 

Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 – Last Saturday, Aug. 5, was our third-highest Saturday for ridership since Spring 2020 with 101,331 exits, and Sunday, Aug. 6, was our fourth-highest Sunday for ridership since Spring 2020 with 76,280 exits! Our riders are benefitting from far fewer delays, train breakdowns, and cancelled trips. 

Take BART to Outside Lands Music Festival + Free Ticket Giveaway at Millbrae 

It’s a big weekend for the Bay Area as the annual Outside Lands Music Festival returns to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco Friday through Sunday (Aug. 11-13). 

Parking in the Sunset District during the festival is known to be a nightmare. BART and SF Muni or the OSL prepaid local shuttles are great ways to get yourself to and from the fest safely and affordably. BART will run regular service until around midnight on each night of the festival. Headlining acts end between 9:35 and 9:55 Friday through Sunday, so you’ll have enough time to get back to BART before service ends.

Free ticket giveaway at Millbrae Station Sat/Sun

There will be no Caltrain service between Millbrae and San Francisco this weekend (more info here). To help Caltrain riders, we’re giving out free roundtrip BART tickets while supplies last on Saturday and Sunday at Millbrae Station. The giveaway starts at 10am. Look for BART staff in the station wearing bright yellow shirts.  

Even if you don’t get a free ticket, taking BART is still the most efficient and affordable way to get to San Francisco from the Peninsula. To get to Outside Lands, Caltrain riders should transfer to BART at Millbrae Station, then ride to Civic Center Station and transfer to the Muni 5R Fulton. If you're using the Outside Lands prepaid shuttles, disembark at Civic Center Station and travel 0.2 miles to Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. 

Follow our complete guide for getting to OSL on transit on BARTable by clicking here. 

More Weekend Fun Around the Region 

Skipping Outside Lands this year? There are plenty of rousing events around the region this weekend. Keep reading and stay in the loop by visiting the BARTable website, which publishes a weekly event roundup, BARTable This Weekend, that highlights the best happenings around the Bay, as well as contests and sweepstakes. Click here to read it online and sign up to receive the newsletter weekly on the BARTable homepage (Look for the blue box under the main image).    

Event Spotlight: FAAE Pistahan Parade and Festival  

On Saturday, Aug. 12, and Sunday, Aug. 13, the 30th Annual Pistahan Parade and Festival makes its way to Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco – about two blocks from Powell St Station. The festivities begin with a parade on Saturday from 11am to noon, starting at Civic Center Plaza and winding along Market Street between 8th and 4th streets. Keep an eye out for the smiling BARTmobile along the parade route! 

The festival at Yerba Buena on Saturday and Sunday runs from 11am to 5pm. Expect live performances, yummy food (and eating contests!), and more ways to celebrate, honor, and preserve the Filipino American community’s legacy of activism, struggles, and triumphs – including in San Francisco, which is home to SOMA Pilipinas, the Filipino Cultural Heritage District. BART will be tabling at the festival on Saturday. 

Explore the Region by BART 

Didn’t get tickets to Outside Lands this year? Check out a live show at some of the region’s BARTable venues, from the historic Paramount Theatre in Oakland to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. Read all about it in this BARTable article.  

Weekend Read 

Are you – or do you know – a high schooler or collegiate interested in learning the ropes of the transportation industry? BART has robust internship programs across its diversity of departments. Learn more about interning at BART from the interns themselves in this Q&A, written by interns from BART’s summer cohort.  

Happy Riding this Weekend! 

We hope you enjoy your weekend adventures aboard our trains.    
 
Stay in touch by signing up for the BARTable This Week newsletter on the BARTable website – your one-stop shop for all things accessible by BART. You can also keep up with BARTable on Facebook and  Instagram. 

Friday, Aug. 15 – Riders continue to return to BART. On Saturday, Aug. 18, nearly 150,000 people rode our trains, and the following day, more than 98,000 of you hopped aboard.  

Big things are brewing around BART, and we’re not just talking about the special late-night service we’re running when Beyoncé comes to town next week (more on that below).  

In addition to recently doubling our police and safety presence on trains and doubling our train deep cleans, we’re excited to announce our fleet will be entirely composed of new trains starting Monday, Sept. 11. (You may spot a legacy train on occasion for events and contingencies.) 

September 11 is an auspicious date for BART – it's our 51st anniversary! Though we're adding another notch to our years in service, we’re as forward-looking as ever.  

On September 11, we’ll be releasing a reimagined schedule that will substantially improve the rider experience. The schedule is designed to work for everyone, every day, whether you’re taking BART to work, to the game, or for a night out with Beyoncé. 

That same day, we’ll begin sizing trains for safety and efficiency by shortening their lengths. Sizing trains in this fashion means increased safety and cleanliness for riders, as well as a maximization of BART’s scarce resources. Read more about it here.  

September 11 is a few weeks off so, first things first, let’s talk about what’s happening around the Bay this weekend... 

For a more in-depth listing of local events, visit the BARTable website. We publish a weekly event roundup, BARTable This Weekend, that highlights happenings around the region as well as cool contests and sweepstakes from our partners.   

Wednesday, Aug. 30: The Beyoncé Renaissance Tour at Levi’s Stadium  

Beyoncé’s in the Bay next Wednesday, and we'll be running extra trains and offering special limited service after midnight for the show. We’ll also have extra station staff and security to help riders get around.  

Getting to Levi’s Stadium on transit is easy. Riders should transfer from BART at Milpitas Station to VTA’s Orange Line and ride to VTA’s Great America Station, located on the north side of Levi’s Stadium.  

Earlier this week, Beyoncé announced that for her birthday, she wants her fans to wear silver to the show to “surround ourselves in a shimmering human disco ball.” We at BART are expecting our riders to be shinier than ever, as Queen B implores.  

Find more detailed information on taking transit to the concert here.  

Friday-Sunday, Aug. 25-Aug. 27: Braves v. Giants at Oracle Park  

The San Francisco Giants return to Oracle Park for a trio of games facing the Atlanta Braves: Friday, Aug. 25 at 7:15pm; Saturday, Aug. 26 at 1:05pm; and Sunday, Aug. 27 at 4:10pm. It’s a big series so your best bet for getting to Oracle Park is BART, as always.  

Use our guide for taking transit to the game here.  

TRACK CLOSURE ADVISORY: If you are traveling from Berryessa/North San Jose Station on the Green Line to San Francisco, be advised of the track closure this weekend for hazardous tree removal and track work between Union City and Fremont stations. The closure will require riders to take a bus bridge between the two stations before continuing to San Francisco.  

To avoid the bus bridge, riders can start their trip at Union City Station (or any station north of Union City). Parking is available at many stations if you plan to drive around the bus bridge; reference this page for more information. 

SINGLE TRACKING ALERT: On Sunday, Aug. 27, be advised of single tracking between Balboa Park and Daly City stations. BART staff will be cutting back and removing trees that could pose a hazard to the trackway between these stations. Single tracking means service will be reduced from two tracks to one track, and riders in the area should anticipate delays of 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, all Green Line trains will be cancelled.  

Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 26-Aug. 27: Oakland Chinatown Streetfest  

The Oakland Chinatown Streetfest returns for its 34th year on Saturday and Sunday. The free festival runs from 10am to 5pm and highlights the historic neighborhood’s traditions, culture, and local businesses.  

You can expect performances on two stages, art, food, beverages, and BART! BART staff and safety personnel from BART Police will be tabling at the event with free swag and lots of information. Stop by and say hello.  

The festival takes place around 9th and Franklin streets in Chinatown. Take BART to 12th St Oakland Station then walk about three minutes to the festivities.  

Explore the Best Attractions near BART Stations 

The Bay Area is home to an incredible array of attractions, whether you’re looking to get up close and personal with wildlife or let your imagination run wild with LEGOs. Learn about some of our favorite spots for family fun on BARTable.  

Sweepstakes Spotlight: Win Hieroglyphics Swag Ahead of Hiero Day 

Hiero Day comes to Oakland on Monday, Sept. 4, and if you’re still looking for a ‘fit, you may want to enter our sweepstakes for a Hieroglyphics Hip Hop Crew Collection swag package. Entries close Monday, Aug. 28, so enter ASAP on BARTable.  

Weekend Read: How We Scrub our Trains from Top to Bottom  

BART recently doubled the number of times our train cars get deep cleaned – you could say our trains are now twice as clean! For these “thorough cleans,” as they’re known around BART, two cleaners spend two hours scrubbing a car from the ceiling to the baseboards.  

Read all about the thorough clean process on bart.gov.  

Happy Riding this Weekend! 

We hope you enjoy your weekend adventures aboard our trains.    
 
Stay in touch by signing up for the BARTable This Week newsletter on the BARTable website – your one-stop shop for all things accessible by BART. You can also keep up with BARTable on Facebook and  Instagram. 

Train car cleaner Alyssa Barnes seen from the bottom of a sudsy bucket.