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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.

Feb 26, 2026 Update

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the BART Board of Directors adopted an Alternative Service Plan outlining specific budget balancing details to solve a $376M deficit for the next fiscal year if no new funds become available to BART. BART is facing a structural deficit of $350M to $400M because ridership is still down 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels and BART’s current funding model relies heavily on passenger fares. Get more details here.

Feb 17, 2026 Update

In response to feedback from some board members at the February 12 Board Workshop, staff will amend the budget balancing proposal for the scenario a November ballot measure fails and no new revenue becomes available to BART. The change includes moving the BART station closures from occurring during the second half of FY27 (January 2027) to instead take place in FY28 (July 2027 through June 2028). BART will use reserve funds to push the station closures six months. The other cuts, cost savings, fare increases, and layoffs outlined in the original proposal remain the same. The Alternative Service Plan the board will be asked to adopt as soon as February 26, will also make clear the Board will ultimately decide which stations to close, not staff.      

Below is a summary of the latest version of the Alternative Service Plan. It will be included on the February 26 agenda as "for information and possible action."

Alternative Service Plan (Second-half of FY27: January 2027 through June 2027)

 January 2027 - Immediate Cost Reduction:

• 3-line service, two trains per hour on each line, 9 PM close  (Reduce train hours by an estimated 63%)
• Increase fares and parking fees 30% (minimum full adult fare: $3.35, estimated average fare $6.38)
• Target approximately $30M of savings over 6 months from non-service budget reductions to fleet and non-fleet maintenance, police, cleaning, and administrative support functions
• Continue deferrals of Priority Capital allocations and retiree medical contributions
• Balance remainder of FY27 with one-time resources and financial deferrals
• Assess ridership and revenue impacts and the performance of all District functions to determine if further reductions can be safely and legally implemented
• Continue public discussions with the BART Board and public regarding potential station closures and impacts (prep work for FY 28)

FY28 (July 2027 through June 2028) - Budget Balancing (if feasible):

• Target over $175M in annual cost reductions through a cumulative 70% reduction in service hours:
  • Maintain 3-line service, two trains per hour on each line, 9 PM close
  • Close up to 15 stations and/or up to 25% of system track miles
• The BART Board will be responsible for all decisions on station or line (segment) closures
• Increase fares and parking fees up to a cumulative 50% (min adult fare: $3.85, estimated average fare $7.26)
• Target annual operating expense savings of more than a cumulative $130M from non-service budget reductions to fleet and non-fleet maintenance, police, cleaning, and administrative support functions
• Continue to defer retiree health contributions; defer most remaining capital allocations

Contingency (if required):

• If determined BART can’t safely or legally operate with available resources, stop passenger service
• Use existing District tax revenues to secure system assets
• Work to determine system’s future

This plan includes approximately 1,200 employee layoffs. 

View the Board Presentation.

Feb 12, 2026 Workshop Update

Today the BART Board of Directors held their annual board workshop where they primarily discussed staff's recommended "Alternative Service Framework" if a November 2026 ballot measure fails and no other operating revenue source is identified. No action was taken, but staff heard feedback from board members about the framework and the proposed phases of service cuts, station closures, layoffs, fare increases, and other deficit reducing solutions. BART staff made it clear it is a policy decision of the Board to ultimately decide which stations to close. The proposed framework and resolution the board will be asked to adopt does not name which 10-15 stations would close, though staff provided recommendations based on the 10 lowest ridership stations and five others stations that would reduce the size of the BART network (view the presentation for details on staff's proposal).

The board discussed potential modifications to the framework they will be asked to vote on as soon as February 26, such as increasing the proposed Phase I fare increase from 30% to 50% while moving all station closures to Phase 2 (July 2027 instead of 10 stations in January 2027, and 5 more in July 2027).

The board asked staff to do additional budget outreach with stakeholders and to conduct more analysis. This discussion will continue at the next board meeting on February 26 with potential action on the Proposed Alternative Service Framework. Though some board members said they may not be prepared to vote until the March 12 meeting. 

You can read the full workshop presentation here.

At the annual BART Board Workshop on Thursday, February 12, BART staff will present Directors with detailed plans for an alternative service framework if a November 2026 ballot measure fails and no other operating revenue source is identified. You can read the full presentation here.

During the workshop, staff will outline the risks and tradeoffs for service and non-service reductions. Because rail has high fixed costs and low marginal savings, it is impossible to close the projected FY27 $376M deficit with service cuts and fare increases alone. 

BART staff evaluated multiple aspects of service including routes, stations, headways, peak, evening, and weekend service and hours of operation. The proposed framework outlines, for the very first time, specific details including which stations would need to be closed due to a lack of operating funds and the recommended phased approach to triggering further cuts. The plan retains as many riders as possible, while still cutting service to realize savings. System support services would need to be reduced by 40% as cost savings from cutting service would be largely offset by the resulting lost fare revenue. 

There will not be a Board vote at the workshop on February 12. After receiving feedback from Directors at the workshop, staff plans to return to the Board on Thursday, February 26, with a resolution to adopt a finalized alternative service framework that would be implemented if new funding is not secured. 

You can participate in the workshop. You may join in person (2150 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612) or via Zoom videoconferencing (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89025424156).

Written comments may be addressed to the BART Board in advance via email to [email protected], using “public comment” as the subject line, before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11th.

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.

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BART Director Bevan Dufty said he was “extremely hopeful” about the upcoming year following a vote today that elected him president of the BART Board. Dufty said he will work hard to support and collaborate with the BART team to solve problems and to anticipate the challenges ahead.

“I am so proud of the work this agency does to support the Bay Area community,” President Dufty said. “I look forward to working hand in hand with the rest of the Board in 2024.”   

President Dufty was first elected to the BART Board of Directors in November 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. He represents District 9, which includes portions of San Francisco. Dufty served as president in 2019.

Director Mark Foley, who was elected vice president, said 2024 will be an exciting, but challenging year. 

“There are a lot of great things happening at the agency we should celebrate,” Vice President Foley said. “People in the Bay Area love BART and what we do. We mean so much to people and provide a crucial lifeline for people traveling to school, to doctors’ appointments, and to work.” 

Vice President Foley was first elected to the BART Board in November 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. Vice President Foley represents District 2, which includes Antioch, Brentwood, Concord (partial), and other cities and unincorporated communities in Contra Costa County. 

Vice President Foley served as board president in 2021 and vice president in 2020 and 2022. 

Watch Janice Li’s outgoing remarks as Board President, during which she highlights BART’s top accomplishments of 2023.

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An innovative community partnership initiative that leverages BART capital funding to help local agencies make it easier for riders to safely walk and bike to BART stations is awarding funding to seven projects. The Measure RR Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) grant program’s third and final cycle will provide $16 million in funding for the projects, which are located across the three counties that make up the BART District (Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco). The program is made possible through Measure RR which was approved by District voters in 2016 and provides $3.5 billion to rebuild BART’s core infrastructure to make the system safer and more reliable.

The selected projects are focused on improving bike and pedestrian connections to BART. SR2B makes the most of Measure RR dollars by using them to support projects that can offer a minimum funding match of 30% and can provide evidence of governing body support, a full funding plan, and a minimum of 35% design completion.

Here are the projects selected for Cycle 3 awards.

Project                                                                                              Safe Routes to BART funding

• Lakeside Dr/Lake Merritt Blvd. Complete Streets Paving Project              $3 million
• Clement Avenue/Tilden Way: Broadway/Tilden Intersection                     $2.1 million
• Central Embarcadero Safety Projects                                                             $1 million
• Fremont Blvd. Elevated Bikeway                                                                      $3 million
• Union City BART Pedestrian At-Grade Railroad Crossing                            $3 million
• Ohlone Greenway Modernization and Safety Project                                  $3 million
• North Bailey Road Active Transportation Corridor Project                         $0.9 million

The projects awarded SR2B funding were selected from 16 applicants. Equity was a key factor in determining the award recipients. Applicants had to show how projects would improve active access for members of disadvantaged communities. Projects were also graded on readiness, leveraged funding, connectivity, rider experience, community desire, and other factors.

Projects now completed thanks to earlier rounds of SR2B funding include the 5th Street Improvement Project which enhances access to Powell Street Station in San Francisco and the Walnut/Liberty Protected Intersection Project which makes it easier and safer for riders to walk and bike to Fremont Station.

BART is currently accepting applications to fill several seats on the Transit Security Advisory Committee (TSAC) until June 12, 2026. 

BART Police Officers have the authority to issue prohibition orders to offenders who are cited or arrested for certain offenses. The TSAC is the community oversight group comprised of at least five members of the public, that serves as a volunteer review body for the implementation of BART’s prohibition policy.

Board-appointed members of TSAC are professionals in the areas of mental health, homelessness, public safety and youth advocacy and cultural awareness. Drawing from their private and public sector experiences, the committee brings a diverse set of skills to the review and execution of the prohibition policy. The advisory committee reports directly to the BART Board of Directors.

BART is currently accepting applications for the following seats on the Transit Security Advisory Committee:

• Two (2) Alternate Committee Member Seat (for any category, no more than one alternate per category) 
  • Law Enforcement Representative
  • Mental Health Representative
  • At-Large Representative
  • Youth Advocate Representative
• One (1) Law Enforcement Representative Seat
• Three (3) At-Large Representative Seats

Final Filing Date – Applications are due by Tuesday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. (PST)

Please download the application here and return the application form and relevant attachments to the BART Office of the District Secretary at:

2150 Webster Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612

Applications may also be emailed to [email protected] 

You may also submit your application using DocuSign by clicking on the following link: E-Application

Please feel free to call the Office of the District Secretary at (510) 464-6083 with any questions.

Heading to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park this weekend? Public transit is your best bet.

BART riders heading to Hardly Strictly from the East Bay can take a train to Powell Station. Transfer to a Muni 5 Fulton bus or 5R Fulton Rapid on Market Street and ride to Golden Park. 

BART riders coming up from San Mateo County or San Francisco can take a train to Civic Center Station and transfer to a Muni N Judah train on the upper level of the station. The N Judah train will run near Golden Gate Park on Irving and Judah Streets.

Rider Tips

Parking is free at all BART stations except Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose (which are operated by VTA) on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6. Pay for parking easily on the BART app.

Before you leave home, put Clipper card on your cellphone through either Apple Pay or Google Pay. Please ensure you have sufficient funds for a round trip. Plan at the cost of your trip in advance.

Real-time departures and train alerts can be found at bart.gov/eta or on the BART app. 

Discover more fun events happening this weekend on BARTable. 

It’s a jazzy no-traffic jam! 

Purchase advance tickets on Railgoods.com or on the day of the event. 

This October, BART Sound Tracks returns with a one-day music festival featuring some of the Bay Area’s outstanding jazz and R&B talents.  

Sound Tracks Jazz Festival, presented in partnership with SFJAZZ, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 3pm to 6pm, in the North Berkeley Station parking lot. In addition to three unique acts – SFJAZZ High School All-Stars, B DeVeaux, and Sun Hop Fat – there will be food trucks, mocktails, and BART merch for sale.  

Now in its fourth year, BART has hosted Sound Tracks at stations as part of its event and rider engagement program, which celebrates transit, activates stations, uplifts local arts and culture, and demonstrates appreciation for our communities. 

Purchase advance tickets or at the event on Railgoods.com. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn/camping chairs, picnics, awesome hats and/or low umbrellas (consider your fellow eventgoers) and your dancing shoes. Consuming alcohol, smoking/vaping, and pets (service animals excepted) are not permitted at the event. There will be parking for motor vehicles and bicycles. 

“It is thrilling to evolve Sound Tracks to a multi-artist event in partnership with longtime BARTable partner SFJAZZ,” said BART Art Program Manager Jennifer Easton. Arts and culture surround the BART system and creating an event that celebrates emerging and established local artists is a perfect opportunity to honor that and bring our community together for a great afternoon of music, dancing, and having fun.” 

“SFJAZZ is very happy to extend our collaboration with BART and to curate the BART Sound Tracks Jazz Festival at North Berkeley BART station as part of our 'SFJAZZ presents’ activities across the Bay Area and beyond,” said SFJAZZ Director of Artistic Programming Burkhard Hopper. “SFJAZZ is all about bringing the best of jazz, legends, and newcomers alike to the Bay Area. We encourage our audience to use public transportations to come to this festival and our venue in Hayes Valley.” 

Following the hugely successful Let’s Glow! Anime Festival in September and Under the Stars movie night in August, Sound Tracks will be another great opportunity to discover all the people, places and events accessible by BART as we land in Berkeley – a city known for its dynamic musicians and performance venues. BART and partner SFJAZZ, the largest nonprofit jazz presenter in the world, are bringing the focus on youth and the diversity of Bay Area music sounds that celebrate traditions and highlight innovators. 

What: Sound Tracks Music Festival, presented by BART and SFJAZZ 

When: Saturday, October 11, 3pm to 6pm 

Where: North Berkeley BART Station parking lot, 1750 Sacramento Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 

Tickets: $5 youth includes 1 youth drink (under 18), $10 adult includes 1 mocktail (18+), $24 family (2 adult + 2 youth). Youth under 5 are free. Tickets available for purchase at the event and on Railgoods.com now. 

About the performers 

The SFJAZZ High School All-Stars is a pre-professional training program for advanced musicians from the greater Bay Area. These young artists display a technical brilliance and musical maturity rarely seen in the youth ensemble arena. Each year the students perform, record, travel and participate in national festivals and competitions, and receive training and mentorship from leading jazz artists. 

B DeVeaux is a 25-year-old Neo-Soul vocalist and songwriter, who has performed both as a solo artist and in other projects all over the Bay Area and beyond, including Yerba Buena Gardens, The Breakroom at San Jose Jazz, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the Mountain Winery, the Kennedy Center and most recently Outsidelands. They will make their SFJAZZ debut this season. Hailing from Oakland, CA, DeVeaux has been singing since the age of 3. They have just released their first album, CHRYSALIS.  

Sun Hop Fat has been at the forefront of world music in the Bay Area. Their music blends the rhythms of traditional American funk and jazz with harmonies and melodies from East and West Africa. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Fèla Kuti, Mulatu Astake, and James Brown, and well steeped in the swampy sounds of New Orleans, their sounds include original compositions. This all-star band includes standout musicians from other popular San Francisco Bay Area groups including Afromassive, Harry and the Hitmen, and Smoked Out Soul.  

Whether sit down jazz crowds or igniting the get-up-and-dance vibe, Sun Hop Fat’s wide appeal garners support from diverse audiences.  

“…a steady wall of extraordinary moving sounds and beats” – San Francisco Examiner. 

The BART Board of Directors unanimously elected Mark Foley to serve as its president for the 2025 term during its meeting today, December 19, 2024. Foley served as vice president for the 2024 board term. 

Foley made a point to welcome the four new board members who took office for their first meeting. “Your fresh ideas, new perspectives, and diverse experiences are exactly what we need as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Foley said. “I am confident that your contributions will be invaluable as we work together to shape the future of BART and public transit in our region.”

Foley will lead the BART Board during a time of unprecedented financial uncertainty. The Board of Directors and BART staff are seeking a reliable long-term funding source to replace federal and state emergency funds that are projected to run out in 2026. If unsuccessful, BART faces devastating cuts that will have serious impacts on the quality of life in the Bay Area. 

“The work ahead requires deep collaboration, and I look forward to working closely with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and our partners to develop a regional funding measure,” Foley said.

In his speech, Foley noted some exciting improvements expected in 2025, including the completion of the Next Generation Fare Gate Project, more reliable power for train service thanks to new electrical substations under construction, and progress on a new train control system to increase train frequency and reliability. 

Foley was first elected to the BART Board on November 6, 2018, and was re-elected in 2022. Foley represents District 2, which is in Contra Costa County, and includes the City of Pittsburg, the City of Antioch, the City of Brentwood, the City of Oakley, the northeastern part of the City of Concord and the northern part of the City of Martinez, as well as the unincorporated communities of Mountain View and Vine Hill. District 2 BART stations include: Antioch, Concord (shared with District 1), North Concord/Martinez, Pittsburg/Bay Point, and Pittsburg Center.

Foley previously served as Board President in 2021 and as Board Vice President in 2020 and 2023.

Director Melissa Hernandez elected as BART Board Vice President

The Board of Directors also unanimously elected District 5 Director Melissa Hernandez as Board Vice President. She is the first Latina to serve on the BART Board of Directors.

First appointed to the Board on May 23, 2024, to fill the vacancy for District 5, Hernandez was elected in November. 

District 5 is in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and includes a portion of the City of Hayward, ranging from Castro Valley Station in the north to Hayward Station in the south. It also includes the City of Pleasanton (except for a portion near Kilkare Woods), the City of Livermore, the City of Dublin, the southeastern part of San Ramon, and rural areas in east Alameda County.

Previously, Hernandez served as a City of Dublin councilmember for eight years and also served as the city’s mayor for four years until June 2024. 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. 

BART riders can now access free Wi-Fi 6E at four more heavily travelled stations, ensuring seamless connectivity for fans and residents ahead of FIFA World Cup-related events.

The four stations that recently went live are 16th St/Mission, 24th St/Mission, Glen Park and Balboa Park. Visitors to these stations are now provided with critical connectivity, especially during a busy ridership period with the Bay Area hosting an international event. The Wi-Fi access is essential for international visitors to communicate without a U.S. roaming plan.

This brings the total number of BART stations with free Wi-Fi to nine, following February’s launch at the first five stations — San Francisco International Airport, West Oakland, Embarcadero, Civic Center, and Powell Street.

This is a comprehensive digital transformation project that will bring state-of-the-art Wi-Fi connectivity to all BART stations over the next couple of years, followed by onboard connectivity on all BART trains.

The Wi-Fi is powered by Boldyn Networks, a leading neutral host provider. BART riders will access the SSID network named “BART Wi-Fi," and no password or email is required. Sessions on the network will last 20 minutes, and users will be required to confirm they are still actively using the network beyond 20 minutes. 

Once users select to join the BART Wi-Fi network, their device will present an option to connect automatically. If that option is selected, their device will remember the SSID. When within the coverage area of the network, their device will automatically join the SSID, and a captive portal page will be presented to ensure they are still active on the network.

“Providing high-quality Wi-Fi is part of our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our riders and enhancing the customer experience through reliable connectivity,” said Ravi Misra, Assistant General Manager of Technology at Bay Area Rapid Transit. “Boldyn partnered with us to deliver this second phase of upgrades as the region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, with additional improvements coming in the months and years ahead.”

“As we get closer to the most important international sports event of the year, we are proud of our partnership with BART and the visible progress we’re making in connecting more tunnels and stations with our fiber, Wi-Fi and 5G technology,” said Dana Tardelli, Chief Operating Officer of Boldyn Networks, US. “A well-connected transport infrastructure will provide an unforgettable experience for the millions of locals and visitors getting to different destinations in the area to watch their favorite teams play”.

Benefits of the new Wi-Fi service include:

• Eases strain on cell network during high-density events.
• Overall, phones perform better when connected to reliable Wi-Fi, especially in a congested area. It saves battery life too.
• Ensures riders can access digital fare payments and emergency communications.

Wi-Fi connectivity is expected to be deployed at BART’s remaining stations in phases, with full project completion by early 2028.