Search

Sound Tracks, BART’s free summer concert series, returns for three shows in August and September.  The outdoor series, presented by the BART Art Program, is part of BART’s rider engagement strategy to activate stations, show appreciation for riders and neighbors, and support local artists – all for the love of music. 

Performances will be held in the unpaid areas of stations, and attendees are encouraged to take BART. Dance bands have been so successful at past events that for this series, we’re bringing out musicians that know how to get a crowd on their feet. 

Said Jennifer Easton, BART Art Program Manager: “The BART Art Program centers supporting local artists and delivering arts and cultural programming to enhance rider and community experience. Sound Tracks encourages riders to take a minute to celebrate with station neighbors, support local businesses, and enables BART to show our appreciation for all the people who ride the system and to those that make the station areas vibrant.”  

Up next on the schedule:

Image

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 5 pm to 630pm, Balboa Park: Kiazi Malonga (Congolese drummer performing with full percussion band) 

Previously:

Image

Wednesday, August 21, 5pm to 630pm, El Cerrito del Norte Station: Patron Latin Rhythms (Latin jazz, Latin rock, Mambo). Special reading by winners of the BART Lines Teen Poetry Contest.  

Image

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 5pm to 630pm, Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre: Chris Trinidad y Con Todo featuring Mestiza (Cuban Timba, Puerto Rican Bomba, and Afro-Caribbean genres mixed with Latin jazz, soul, and R&B)  

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.  

Trains aren’t known for stopping street traffic, but one flying BART train car did just that this past Thursday on B Street in Downtown Hayward.  

On May 7, a legacy BART car landed (literally) in its final resting place as a Bigge crane deposited the decommissioned car from the back of a flatbed onto a cement platform that will become the centerpiece of Arthur Mac’s Big Snack, a family-friendly pizza-by-the-slice beer garden and neighborhood hangout spot, slated to open in the next few months.  

Passersby and drivers stopped on the sidewalk and middle of the road to watch the cinematic process unfold. One driver stopped in the middle of the road to inquire what was happening. "It'll be a restaurant!” the sidewalk dwellers shouted to which the driver replied: “I don’t have experience, but can I be a hostess?” She went on her way as the cars behind her started honking.  

Resting place isn’t quite the right word for this legacy BART car. That's because its second life, though stationary, has just begun.  

“I feel emotions I’ve never felt before,” said Joel DiGiorgio, Arthur Mac’s cofounder and co-owner, as he watched the car fly over the lot by crane. “I’m slowly feeling 65,000 pounds of pressure off my chest.”  

In the coming weeks, Arthur Mac’s will shine and spruce their BART car to serve as a dining car among a smattering of shipping containers that will make up the outdoor restaurant.  

“Customers will be able to go inside and have a food and beverage experience you can’t have on a normal BART car,” DiGiorgio noted. Want to down wings and a brew on BART? Here's your chance.  

The restaurant is the first Arthur Mac’s to land in Hayward. The first location is located across the street from the MacArthur BART Station, and the brand is an homage to BART, its name an anagram of “MacArthur.” They are selling their Oakland location in order to complete the more complicated buildout of the Hayward restaurant, which will be nearly double in size of the Oakland spot.  

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by SFBART (@sfbayarearapidtransit)

An East Bay 90s kid, DiGiorgio and his friends would often ride the 51 AC Transit bus to Rockridge Station then onto the Embarcadero to skateboard at famous spots like Pier 7 and Hubba's Hideout. 

“This is in part why we named our family restaurant after a BART station, as it played into Bay Area culture and shared nostalgia,” he said. “We also believe that public transportation is a pillar of the American Dream…Public transportation gives us all a chance while acting as the connective tissue of our extended and disparate communities.” 

In addition to the excited passersby, Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas and Hayward City Council member Angela Andrews visited the scene to check things out for themselves and celebrate the occasion.  

“This is going to be a gamechanger in Downtown Hayward,” said Salinas, noting that effective economic development happens when municipal governments, businesses, and public transportation collaborate. “It’s iconic spaces like these that define the East Bay and bring the community together.” 

BART gave Arthur Mac’s the car at no cost as part of its legacy car decommissioning program. The restaurant was responsible for the cost of transporting the car. 

BART officially retired its more than 50-year-old legacy fleet in 2024. Acknowledging that its legacy cars have a tremendous sentimental value with the Bay Area community, BART gave the public the opportunity to submit proposals for repurposing retired cars, and eight recipients were selected after describing what they planned to do with the vehicles. Only one legacy car remains in BART’s possession, intended to serve as a bike shop and clubhouse for Oakland youth once the permitting process is complete. The unclaimed legacy cars were recycled locally.  

The recipients are reusing their cars for a multitude of purposes, including a concession stand for the Oakland Ballers, a short-term rental in the Sierra foothills, and a regional fire training center. An A, B, and C car were awarded to the Western Railway Museum for its Rapid Transit History Center, which opens later this year.  

Representatives from the Sierra Train House and Western Railway Museum came to Hayward to watch the second-to-last car be delivered, offering DiGiorgio pointers on how to restore the car, what to reinforce, and general best practices when refurbishing old BART cars.  

Built in the 1970s and refurbished in the 1990s, the Arthur Mac’s train car will lean into the aesthetic of the latter decade, its ads to be swapped with those you might see on BART in the 90s. They intend to fully lean into the “time warp” by leaving the car largely as it is, with some seating rearranged. The front of the cab will retain the Train Operator’s seat and control panel for kids to explore.  

“This is a new life for this BART car,” DiGiorgio said. “In the words of Bob Marley, this train is bound to glory.” 

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. 

At its national conference the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) reaffirmed the BART Police Department continues to meet the standard of the group’s Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation. BART PD – which is in the process of filling 29 sworn officer vacancies this fiscal year - was already among the fewer than 6% of law enforcement agencies across the country that has earned accreditation from CALEA. This advanced accreditation places BART PD in an even smaller pool of departments and acknowledges the department’s commitment to following industry best practices, building community trust, and engaging in more than decade long commitment to reform.

“BART PD is working around the clock to ensure every rider feels safe from the moment they step into a station to the moment they arrive at their destination,” said interim BART PD Chief Kevin Franklin. “Our accreditation from CALEA wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of everyone in the department. Certification from CALEA is the gold standard for law enforcement. It shows the confidence of outside experts in the work being done by our department to continue improving, while ensuring we are keeping BART riders and workers safe across the Bay Area.”

BART PD first earned CALEA accreditation in 2019 and had to demonstrate at the conference the department has been meeting or exceeding CALEA’s standards. “We recognize that accreditation is a process, not a destination,” continued Franklin. “We are committed to continuing with the hard work to measure up to CALEA’s high standards as well as the demands of our riders who expect us to do everything we can to keep them safe every time they ride.”

BART PD earned its original CALEA accreditation as part of its more than decade long commitment to police reforms. The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) recommended in its final report issued in 2010 that BPD seek this accreditation. NOBLE conducted a top-to-bottom review of BPD after the tragic shooting death of Oscar Grant in 2009.

BART PD must prove compliance with nearly 400 standards annually as part of the Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The comprehensive process included an on-site review by CALEA which focused on facility inspections, staff interviews, and gathering public input.

Presale extended through Friday, June 12, on  Railgoods.com

Over the past five years, BART has offered many variations of our beloved holiday sweaters. This year, we stitched them all together into a gloriously chaotic creation, allowing you to wear multiple eras of BART holiday merch at the same time.  

It’s fun. It’s maximalist. It’s festive. It’s the BART Holiday Frankensweater. And even though it’s getting hot outside, we believe it’s never too early to start your holiday shopping.

Orders are anticipated to ship/be available for pickup in September, giving customers plenty of time to prepare for sweater season.

Other featured holiday goods include the BARTy Light-Up Necklace (special presale price: $9.99) and BARTy Holiday Sticker ($1.99).  

Details + discount

Sweaters cost $49.99 and are available in sizes XS-5XL. Sweaters run small, so we recommend sizing up. For the presale only, we are offering the following promotional discounts on holiday purchases. The code does not apply to non-holiday merchandise.

Enter the discount codes at checkout: 

• $10 off purchases of $50 or more - HOLIDAY10 
• $25 off purchases of $100 more - HOLIDAY25 

Demand for BART holiday sweaters has become so intense that we now launch sales months ahead of the holidays to make sure fans can get them with plenty of time to spare.  

Last year, Railgoods sold nearly 3,000 sweaters. Proceeds support BART in its mission to provide safe and reliable rail service to the region.  

“Riders have been asking us to bring back some of our older holiday sweater designs, and this year’s sweater does just that, making it both nostalgic for longtime fans and fresh for new customers,” said Director of BART Customer Services Erica Iñiguez-Diaz. 

BART holiday sweaters are famous. We were one of the first transit agencies in the nation to sell them, and many have since designed their own. The Bay Area remains a transit merch innovator. 

Expect compliments, questions, and at least one stranger yelling across the platform, “Where’d ya get that?”  

Shop the presale now through June 12 and buy other BART merch at Railgoods.com. 

* denotes required field.