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BART is pleased to announce it will host its 2025 Small Business Summit event on Monday, May 19th, 2025 on the first floor of its headquarters located at 2150 Webster St. in Oakland. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in BART’s new disparity study to help BART evaluate and refine its efforts to encourage small business participation, as well as meet BART staff from various departments to hear about upcoming contracts and purchasing needs, network with prime contractors, learn about BART’s equity program and certifications process and learn about resources available to small businesses from community partners. 

BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) is conducting a disparity study for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to assess outcomes for person of color- and woman-owned businesses in BART's contracting and procurement. The study will help inform BART's efforts to encourage the participation of those businesses in BART's work. BBC, with BART's support, will be holding one in-person stakeholder engagement session to provide information about the study, answer questions about the study, and collect insights about business conditions in the Bay Area marketplace, which will be integrated into the disparity study.  

Representatives from several departments and groups at BART will be available at the event to answer questions about upcoming contracts, programs and resources for small businesses. These include representatives from BART’s Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement departments along with staff from BART’s Office of Civil Rights and Small Business Support Services.  May 19-23 is BART’s Small Business Week. Visit bart.gov/ocr for a list of scheduled events during the week.    

Registration is preferred for BART’s 2025 Small Business Summit. Here are event details: 

Date: Monday, May 19, 2025  
Location: 2150 Webster Street, Oakland CA 94612 (1st floor) 
Time: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
 Here is the event schedule: 

• 12:30 -1:00 PM: Registration
• 1:00 - 1:30 PM: Opening Remarks
• 1:30 - 3:00 PM: New BART Disparity Study
• 3:00 – 4:00PM: Networking between BART Staff, Primes, Small Businesses and Community Partners 

 Please register at the link here!  

Bob Franklin pictured on a legacy BART train in 2012.

Bob Franklin’s “BART bug” wasn’t planted on a train. Instead, it took root as a little kid in the backseat of a car crawling through Bay Bridge traffic. Idling on a gridlocked highway is dreadful, a young Franklin thought, so why do people willingly subject themselves to this? Even then, he knew there had to be a better way to get around.  

It was 28 years ago that Franklin first set foot in BART Headquarters, and in that time, he’s made it his mission to envision and implement the “better way” his younger self once dreamed about. 

​​​​​​​Franklin has done so from many vantage points: temp worker, administrative assistant, department director, elected BART board member, and now District Secretary, a role he's served in since May 2025.  

“Even before I rode BART for the first time, I knew I wanted to work for BART,” he said.  

Franklin grew up mostly in Burlingame, and without a BART station nearby, his family relied on driving . An opportunity for his first BART ride finally arrived in 1985, when he took a train from the Daly City stop to Coliseum BART to see Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA tour. He was as mesmerized by BART as he was by the Boss. While Springsteen was “born to run,” Franklin was born to ride.  

Despite knowing he intended to land in transit, Franklin's professional path didn’t follow a straight line. After high school, he enrolled at Stanford University as a math major, ultimately graduating with an English degree (the math classes “got too theoretical,” so he switched course).  

After Stanford, Franklin explored a range of jobs, all with an environmental slant. He worked at a recycling center, on an organic farm, and later fighting wildfires for the U.S. Forest Service. 

Once he hung up his fire gear, Franklin began applying to “any open BART position that looked good to me.” He never heard back.  

“I knew if I could just get into BART, I’d find where I was meant to be,” he reasoned.  

Franklin pictured in front of an ad for his BART board campaign. 

So he applied through a temp agency that worked with BART and was placed right away in the District Secretary’s Office, or DSO, selling contracts and helping produce meeting agendas. 

“I didn’t know what the DSO did at the time,” he said. “It was completely random." 

Today, as District Secretary, Franklin runs that very same department, overseeing the facilitation of BART business and democratic processes, managing board meetings, and coordinating communications with constituents, riders, and staff, among other responsibilities.   

Franklin knows the DSO well, not only because he leads the office, but because he once sat on the other side of the dais as a member of the BART Board for nearly a decade. 

It was 2004, and Franklin was working as an executive assistant to BART’s Controller-Treasurer when election season for his BART district rolled around. He decided to throw his hat in the ring. 

“I ran because I wanted a bigger say at BART,” he said. "And while I loved the director I challenged and he had great policies, he wasn’t willing to compromise, so he wasn’t advancing his agenda.” 

Franklin believed he could get more done, so he took a leave of absence from BART and spent the following eight months campaigning, mostly from the seat of his bicycle. Franklin was all over the place on that bike, be it a Raiders game or a weekend farmers market.  

"I was just a constant visual,” he remembered. “A lot of people came up to me and said, ‘I don’t know what you want to do, but I see you working hard so I am going to vote for you.’”  

His strategy worked, and in 2004, Franklin began an eight-year tenure on the BART Board, representing a district that stretched from Berkeley to Castro Valley to Orinda. 

“It was harder than I thought it would be,” Franklin admitted. “All the board members had different interests and reasons for being there. None of them matched mine.” 

But from day one, his focus was clear. 

“People loved BART, but they couldn’t get to it,” he said. “Bus service wasn’t frequent. Parking lots were full. People wanted to take BART, but they couldn’t get there. So my emphasis was helping people access our stations.” 

During his time on the board, Franklin started the Sustainability Committee, helping pave the way for BART’s use of solar energy. He pushed to televise board meetings and created an access policy that reinvested parking revenue into station communities. One project funded through that policy was the renovation of Rockridge BART Plaza, transforming what had been an ivy-covered area overrun with rats into a welcoming community space. 

In 2012, Franklin decided not to run for reelection and briefly set his sights on Oakland City Council. But BART, once again, pulled him back. Not long after announcing his city council campaign, the Director of Customer Access and Accessibility position opened at BART.

“It was going to be politics or BART,” he said. “So I chose BART.” 

Franklin spent the next 13 years focused on the same mission: helping people get to BART. Under his leadership, the department expanded, implemented a modern market-based parking pricing policy, professionalized bus coordination, and led the biggest bus bridge in BART history during a scheduled work shutdown in the Transbay Tube.  

Ryan Greene-Roesel, who worked for Franklin during his tenure and has since taken over his role, described him as “unfailingly supportive and kindhearted, with a constant twinkle in his eye.” 

“Bob defies categorization,” she said. “He taught me by example to be deeply empathetic to customers, especially people with disabilities." 

Franklin pictured with the Customer Access team. (Bottom left to right: Jumana Nabti, Franklin, Elena Van Loo. Top left to right: Heath Maddox, Mirubenat Obregon, Danielle Dai, Ryan Greene-Roesel, Kevin McDonald.) 

After more than a decade in customer access, Franklin felt ready for a change. As he prepared to leave BART for the second time, he received a call asking if he would consider returning to the District Secretary’s Office, this time as its leader.  

You know the rest.  

“It’s been an honor to work in public service,” he said, reflecting on his many years at BART. “It's made me become more open, transparent, and accepting of different perspectives.” 

That mindset follows Franklin even when he steps away from his desk, including into his art. When he’s not working, Franklin is an avid painter, and BART sometimes plays the muse. On occasion, Franklin sets up his easel at a station and spend hours observing and painting as he takes in the rhythms of the system he’s spent his life helping people access.  

“I get to see things I normally wouldn’t,” he said of his plein air painting sessions. “It’s helped me learn even more about BART and the people who rely on it.” 

Painter. Firefighter. Farmer. Board member. District Secretary. A life of varied experiences, always grounded in service to others. 

From Antioch to Millbrae, the Transbay Tube to the Dublin hills, BART fans can now see the system like never before as BART releases a new series of videos showcasing the entire BART System from the point of view of a Train Operator. The BART Cab Cam series is the first time this footage will be available to view on YouTube at youtube.com/@bartable.  

BART released the first video -- a ride on the Red Line from end to end -- on Monday, September 1, to kick off Transit Month. A total of 12 videos will be released of all five BART lines and the Oakland Airport Connector in both directions.  

The videos will be published on YouTube weekly over the next 12 weeks, with the final video debuting on November 3.  
 
Produced in-house by the BART Communications and Marketing teams, the videos were filmed throughout 2025 and showcase BART’s diverse service area in stunning 4K. 

Watch the first video above and subscribe to BART’s YouTube channel to see the rest of the Cab Cam series as soon as they’re released.  

Find more stories and videos about BART infrastructure at bart.gov/railtales.  

BART fares will increase January 1, 2026, to keep pace with inflation so the agency is able to pay for continued operations and to work toward restoring financial stability. BART's current funding model relies on passenger fares to pay for operations, and fares continue to be an important funding source to meet the needs of riders who rely on BART and to attract new riders.  

Fares will increase 6.2 % on New Year’s Day based upon actual inflation in 2023 and 2024. The average fare will increase $0.30, from $4.88 to $5.18. For a short trip like Downtown Berkeley to 19th St./Oakland, the regular fare will increase by $0.15, and for a longer trip, such as the 45-mile journey between Antioch to Montgomery, it’s a $0.55 increase.  

The fare increase is expected to raise $15.6 million for Calendar Year 2026.  

BART's fare calculator and Trip Planner have been updated with the new fares for trips with the date 1/1/26 and beyond. Riders can learn how the increase will affect their travels by entering a 2026 date for their trip. 

BART is also changing parking prices effective January 1, 2026.  

Outdated funding model 

BART needs a reliable, long-term source of operating funding. The agency’s current funding model relies on passenger fares to pay for operations, an outdated model that is no longer feasible due to remote work. Even with the fare increase, BART faces a deficit of $376 million in FY27. The agency must modernize its funding sources to better align with other transit systems in the country that receive larger amounts of public funding.  

“As we ask the region for greater investments and support for BART while also making internal cuts to reduce costs, we also must ask our riders to contribute more towards their trips,” said BART Board President Mark Foley. “We will continue our commitment to enhance efficiencies and implement strict cost controls.”  

BART costs have grown at a rate lower than inflation, demonstrating we have held the line on spending, and BART balanced the FY26 budget with $35 million in ongoing cuts and strict cost controls. In the FY27 budget which begins July 1, 2026, BART will institute cost savings and deferrals of $108 million to maintain current service levels and produce a balanced budget. In addition, we are running shorter trains to save millions of dollars on energy costs, and our service schedule better matches ridership. We have implemented a strategic hiring freeze, targeted reductions to operating costs across departments, renegotiated with unions to reduce near-term retiree healthcare costs, and locked in low energy costs through long-term contracts. 

BART embraces independent oversight 

A recent review by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) found BART is meeting standards in nearly two dozen categories, including financial management, its ability to utilize federal grants, and project implementation. BART is also subject to review by the independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The OIG conducts performance audits and investigates allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse. BART has accepted 92% of the OIG’s recommendations and already implemented 64%. BART is the only transit agency in the Bay Area with an OIG.  

BART is improving and innovating 

BART has seen progress in its efforts to improve the customer experience. In 2025, customer satisfaction increased to 88%; the number of riders who say they’ve witnessed fare evasion dropped by more than 50%; and crimes against persons on BART dropped by 59%. This year BART also installed new fare gates systemwide four months early and was the first transit agency in the Bay Area to roll out Tap and Ride, offering contactless bank card payment options.    

BART offers the following fare discount programs:  

• Low-income adults earning 200% or less of the federal poverty level get 50% off through the regional Clipper START program.  
• Youth 5-18 years old get 50% off with a Youth Clipper card. Children four years and younger ride free.  
• Seniors 65 and over get 62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card.  
• The RTC Clipper card is a version of Clipper created for passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities to provide 62.5% off.  
• BART offers a “High-value Discount.” Adult Clipper cards get a 6.25% discount on cash value rides by buying $48 worth of value for $45 or $64 worth of value for $60 when autoload is set up with your registered Clipper card.  
• Monthly “A” Adult Fast Pass + BART within San Francisco: Unlimited rides on all Muni vehicles and on BART within San Francisco (trips outside of these stations are charged full fare). Available for sale from the 17th of the prior month through the 16th of the month. 
• Students on a school-sponsored field trip for an educational purpose are eligible for a 62.5% discount fare when purchased in advance through Group Sales. 

• The Next Generation of Clipper offers automatic transfer discounts beginning December 10, 2025. Riders will receive a discount of up to the highest local single ride fare on Clipper, currently $2.85, when transferring between agencies. The discount will be automatically applied to an unlimited number of transfers within 120 minutes of the first tap.

   

This article was originally published on December 2, 2025.  

BART continued in 2023 to pioneer sustainability initiatives aimed at enhancing rider experience while prioritizing environmental stewardship. With a legacy rooted in forward-thinking transportation solutions, BART reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon footprints and advancing sustainable transit practices. The accomplishments of 2023 are detailed in the annual Sustainability Report, officially presented to the Board of Directors on July 11, 2024. 

"BART’s sustainability efforts were all about innovation in 2023," said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. "We are dedicated to integrating creative solutions that not only improve the rider experience, our immediate priority, but also emphasize long-term sustainability." 

Established over fifty years ago with a vision to alleviate regional traffic congestion through eco-friendly transit options, BART has continually evolved its practices to reflect contemporary environmental standards. Notably, engineers initially opted to power trains with electricity rather than fuel, a decision that laid the foundation for ongoing sustainability achievements. 

In a poignant farewell to its legacy fleet, BART hosted a memorable "retirement party" in February 2024, marking the culmination of efforts to retire older vehicles. Thousands of attendees gathered to bid farewell to the trains that had served millions of passengers over the years. The decommissioned cars are being repurposed for various projects, including a BART car short-term rental in the Sierra Nevada and a youth bike shop and clubhouse in East Oakland, demonstrating BART’s commitment to sustainability beyond transit operations. 

The introduction of new, energy-efficient train cars has furthered BART's sustainability goals, boasting a 7% reduction in energy consumption compared to previous train car models. By running shorter trains during off-peak hours, BART has achieved significant energy savings. 88% of BART’s electricity comes from greenhouse gas-free sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. 

"Our shorter trains not only save energy and reduce costs but also enhance safety and efficiency in maintenance," BART General Manager Bob Powers added. "These innovations underscore our holistic approach to sustainability across all facets of our operations." 

In addition to transit improvements, BART expanded its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program, constructing 531 new housing units near BART stations. Projects like the Gateway at Millbrae Station and the Upper Yard at Balboa Park Station not only address regional housing needs but also promote sustainable urban development and economic revitalization. 

Highlighting unique environmental initiatives, BART's Sheep and Goat Fire Mitigation program has grown substantially, utilizing over 500 grazers to mitigate fire risks across its properties. Meanwhile, the Falconry-Based Nuisance Bird Control program, now implemented at 12 stations, effectively manages pigeon populations through pesticide-free methods. 

For more information on BART's sustainability initiatives and ongoing projects, visit bart.gov/sustainability. 

BART is moving forward with changes to its financial operations to improve efficiency and transparency with the creation of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reporting to the General Manager. 

This new financial structure brings together the functions from the Office of the Controller-Treasurer, who has traditionally reported to the BART Board of Directors, and the Performance & Budget Office, who reports to the General Manager, into one group, reporting to a new CFO position. 

The CFO will have the authority to implement strategic business changes to streamline BART’s financial forecasting, budgeting, and reporting of financial data. The new structure will create greater accountability under the General Manager to realize long-term cost savings. Creating a CFO position requires state legislation to amend the BART Act.

“This is a significant reform to show we are committed to using our limited financial resources in the most efficient manner possible,” said BART Board President Janice Li. “A new CFO will help drive a culture of financial discipline as we navigate economic uncertainty.”

Last year, the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Office of the Inspector General, approved modifying BART’s organizational structure in an effort to focus on improving efficiency and financial operations. 

“This is a tremendous step for BART and reflects how well the OIG recommendation for a CFO structure was embraced,” said Claudette Biemeret, BART’s Inspector General. “I applaud the BART Board and Executive Leadership for taking on this change. CFO leadership is crucial to transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.”

In response, BART’s General Manager hired a consulting team to develop a roadmap for implementing the financial organization structure. The BART Board of Directors approved the new structure at its December 7 meeting and BART will move quickly to identify and onboard a new CFO role.

View the presentation.