Search

Give a wave and words of thanks to BART employees you see today – it's National Transit Employee Appreciation Day!

Every year on March 18, public transit agencies across the nation celebrate the amazing work forces that keep us moving, our economies humming, and our air clean. It's a big job moving the Bay Area, and BART's employees do it with dedication, care and moxie. We appreciate them and hope you do to. 

We asked some of our riders to share a message to our employees – hear from them in the video in this article.  

On this notable day, BART invites the public to share their gratitude for hardworking transit employees. They appreciate knowing you value them. So, if you’re traveling on transit today, take a moment to say “thanks” to the staff who make your trip possible. A smile or wave goes a long way, too! 

Additionally, keep an eye out for signs of gratitude in our stations, including some of our employees featured on posters in station agent booths, and listen for a special PA announcement recorded by BART General Manager Bob Powers.  

We can't express enough gratitude to our employees, who are working hard every day to provide high-quality train service to our customers.  

And the proof is in the pudding: Last quarter, we elevated our overall customer satisfaction rating to 81%, an increase of 7% from the previous quarter. This is the first time since 2012 that our customer satisfaction rating has broken the 80s! We have our employees to thank for that.   

Thank you, BART staff and all the transit employees across the nation. This day is for you! 

Read about some of our amazing employees

Cleaner trains than ever: Meet the team that has five minutes to clean every BART train 

With $300 in her wallet and a dream, one BART track operator forged her own path 

BART Chief of Police on BART’s 1972 opening day and a lifetime riding trains 

Serial entrepreneur turned Station Agent trainee reflects on his journey to BART 

10 Questions with Train Operator Shinita Garza 

BART employee stars in new film about famed sign spinner 

Train Car Electricians are the neurosurgeons of BART 

BART trains now deep-cleaned twice as often -- meet the employees who make it happen 

Dispatchers are the “behind-the-scenes heroes” of BART Police 

Financial Analysts at BART meld science with art 

Train Car Mechanics keep BART trains on the go 

From McDonald’s and Dennys to trains and trackways: How working in food service formed top engineering manager Ni Lee’s work philosophy 

Podcast: A lifelong passion for transit inspires a BART Supervisor to improve your ride 

BART Train Operator Dewayne Deams on the lessons he learned from his great-grandfather, transit trailblazer Curtis E. Green 

From the third rail to station lightbulbs, BART Electricians keep the system energized 

BART’s Terri Hodges on saying what she feels, meaning what she says, and bringing a dash of weird to the workplace 

BART's Mark Nagales honored his grandmother’s memory with one final trip on a legacy train 

What it takes to deep clean a BART station – a process BART recently doubled in frequency 

(For the most up to date information on BART service delays please visit bart.gov/advisories.)

Update: Tuesday, July 30 (4:30pm)

Red Line service has been reestablished. We will operate with speed restrictions in the downtown Oakland core while repairs are made to the damaged gap breaker station. There is currently not an estimate for how long those repairs will take to complete.

Update: Monday, July 29 (2:00pm)

There’s currently no Red Line service due to ongoing power issues in downtown Oakland. This is being done out an abundance of caution to ensure continued service to Oakland stations.

East Bay riders who would normally use the Red Line to travel transbay can instead take an Orange Line train and transfer to a Yellow Line train at MacArthur Station. A shuttle train is operating between Millbrae and SFO stations.

UPDATE: Monday, July 29 (6:00am)

Red Line service is restored so we have full service on all lines.

UPDATE: Sunday, July 28 (10:47am)

All Oakland stations are open after an earlier loss of power. Service has resumed between MacArthur, Coliseum, and West Oakland stations. All lines are running, excluding the Red Line, which remains out of service. 

Expect major delays systemwide. 

UPDATE: Sunday, July 28 (10:11am)

Fruitvale and Lake Merritt stations are now open, and Green Line service to Daly City has been restored. 12th St./Oakland and 19th St./Oakland stations remain closed. 

AC Transit is providing bus service between MacArthur, Coliseum, and West Oakland stations. 

Use the BART Trip Planner on bart.gov or the BART app to find transit alternatives based on your location by deselecting BART in "transit options." View a map of bus and ferry alternatives at bart.gov/transbayalts.

UPDATE: Sunday, July 28 (9:04am)

BART continues to have no service in the core of its system in Oakland. The following stations remain closed: Fruitvale, Lake Merritt, 12th St/Oakland, and 19th St/Oakland. Trains are turning back at Coliseum, West Oakland, and MacArthur stations. 

There is currently no Red Line or Green Line service. The cancelled service may not be reflected on station screens. 

AC Transit is providing service between the four closed stations, and BART staff are positioned outside of the stations to assist customers. Bus service begins at Coliseum Station, West Oakland, and MacArthur stations. Transbay service is running. You can take a Yellow Line or Blue Line train to and from West Oakland to cross the bay. 

Use the BART Trip Planner on bart.gov or the BART app to find transit alternatives based on your location by deselecting BART in "transit options." View a map of bus and ferry alternatives at bart.gov/transbayalts.

Crews are working around-the-clock. Further updates will be provided. 

UPDATE: Sunday, July 28 (7:55am)

BART continues to have no service in the core of its system in Oakland and the following stations remain closed: Fruitvale, Lake Merritt, 12th St/Oakland and 19th St/Oakland. Trains are turning back at Coliseum, West Oakland and MacArthur Stations.

Bus service is being provided between the four stations and BART staff are positioned outside of the stations to assist customers. Use the BART Trip Planner on bart.gov or the BART app to find transit alternatives based on your location by deselecting BART in "transit options." View a map of bus and ferry alternatives at bart.gov/transbayalts

This is due to a power loss at a substation that began at approximately 5pm on Saturday, July 27th. The suspected cause is a blown breaker, which caused a major electrical short that essentially short circuited the trackway in that area.

At approximately 5:20pm on Saturday, July 27, we experienced a disruption in service between 12th St/Oakland and Fruitvale stations due to a power issue at an Oakland substation.

As a result, four stations were closed. They are Fruitvale, Lake Merritt, 12th St/Oakland and 19th St/Oakland. Trains are turning back at Coliseum, West Oakland, and MacArthur stations.

Use the BART Trip Planner on bart.gov or the BART app to find transit alternatives based on your location by deselecting BART in "transit options." View a map of bus and ferry alternatives at bart.gov/transbayalts

(This article was originally published on Saturday, July 27)

Friday, Sept. 1 – We’re heading into a three-day weekend, and BART is a great way to get to your barbecues and outdoor activities for Labor Day.  

On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, BART will run Sunday service hours (8am to midnight). Scroll down for more detailed information.  

This week also marks the start of something really special. Friday, Sept. 1, is the official start of Transit Month, the monthlong celebration of regional transportation that toasts the many trains, buses, and ferries that connect our region and uplift our communities, economies, and cultures.  

During Transit Month, riders are encouraged to explore the region by taking local transportation. The month is hallmarked by a multitude of free events, a Ride Contest, ride-a-longs with transit leaders, a Rider First Awards ceremony, and more. 

Some of the BART-centric events to look forward to this year include: 

• Meet the BART Anime Mascots on Sept. 16  
• Beat the Ridership Record All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day on Sept. 16 
• Transit CEO Ride-Along and Happy Hour on Sept. 29 
• Mokelumne Trail Bridge Bike Ride from Antioch BART Station Plaza on Sept. 30, organized by Bike East Bay 
• BART Scavenger Hunt from Sept. 1 through 21, organized by Young Professionals in Transportation 

Read about the upcoming events and RSVP here.   

Transit Month also hosts a Ride Contest with prizes for those who log the most transit trips (riders who log any rides will be entered into a raffle). 

The rider who logs the most BART trips this Transit Month will win an HO scale BART A car made by Rapido Trains (currently available for preorder on railgoods.com). This museum-quality model will arrive inside a custom-made display case, allowing the rider to proudly show off their best-in-the-Bay Transit Month performance (Delivery is estimated Summer 2024). Other BART prizes up include a BARTable swag bag with promotional prizes, a poster-size BART map, and a BART anime mascot swag bag. Hear from last year’s BART Ride Contest winner below.  

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.    

Monday, September 4, BART running Sunday schedule on Labor Day 

On Monday, September 4, 2023, BART will be running a Sunday schedule (8am-midnight) as we observe Labor Day. We will run five-line service until 9pm with 30-minute frequencies on all lines and then three-line service after 9pm. 

Five-line service means all lines will be running including the Red and Green lines, which provide direct service into San Francisco.  

Parking will be free at all BART stations on Labor Day, except Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose stations, which are operated by VTA. 

For the most up-to-date schedule information use our Trip Planner or our official BART app to plan your trip. 

Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3: Millbrae Art and Wine Festival 

Downtown Millbrae will transform into a street fair along Broadway to Victoria Ave. (south end) and to Meadow Glen Ave. (north end). The festival will feature live music, handcrafted goods by nearly 300 artists and crafters, food and drink, and more. BART staff and members of our police department will have a booth at the event to answer questions, promote programs, and give away BART swag. Take BART to Millbrae Station and walk a few minutes to the festival (travel time depends on where you enter).  

BARTable Walk: Downtown San José  

We’ve just unveiled a new BARTable walk – a lovely jaunt around Downtown San José. You’ll begin by disembarking at Berryessa/North San José and visit the gorgeous Chinese Cultural Garden, a specialty Portuguese market, the San José Flea Market, among other multicultural sights. Think of walk as an urban hike.  

You can find a description of the route and a map, developed by walking expert Guy Joaquin, on BARTable.  

Weekend Read: Get to know Jaime Espitia, winner of the 2022 BART Ride Contest who logged more than 400 rides 

Last Transit Month, Jaime Espitia won the 2022 BART Ride Contest, logging more BART trips than any other participant – he rode BART an incredible 422 times in one month!  

In recognition of his incredible feat, Jaime got to ride in the cab during passenger service with a Train Operator. What’s it like in the cab? Read about Jaime’s voyage here.  

Happy Riding this Weekend!  

We hope you enjoy your weekend adventures aboard our trains.     
 
Stay in touch by signing up for the BARTable This Weekend 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. 

Jaime Espitia (left), who logged the most BART trips during Transit Month 2022, won a ride in a Train Operator’s cab. He claimed his prize in August, riding with Train Operator Dewayne Deams (far right).