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The iconic original BART car could have looked very different.

Industrial design firm Sundberg-Ferar, which created the concept and design of the original car, recently unearthed a trove of photographs from the 1960s that show BART in its earliest stages.  Among the images, selections of which we’ve included in this story, are numerous snapshots of early BART prototypes.

“Prototypes are a low-cost, low-risk way to test design ideas,” explained Lynnaea Haggard, Sundberg-Ferar’s Marketing Manager. “They’re the creation of artifacts for stakeholders to react to, which helps figure out what’s working and what’s not working.”

BART contracted Sundberg-Ferar to design cars for its budding mass rail system in the early 60s. By 1964, the firm had hit the ground running, starting with basic concept sketches. From there, Sundberg-Ferar built a series of car prototypes at 1/12th scale. To put that in perspective, the initial prototypes were about 5 3/4 feet long – pintsize compared to the actual cars, which measured 70 feet.

It’s worth briefly turning our attention to the sketching phase. Many of the original BART car concepts were designed by acclaimed visionary designer Syd Mead, who’s largely responsible for creating the look and feel of science fiction classics such as “Star Trek,” “Blade Runner,” and “Tron.”

“I worked on the original design for the BART system train cars. Sundberg-Ferar designed the BART system cars,” Mead said in a 2015 interview before his death in 2019. “I did all of the presentation renderings for that.”

Construction of the full-size prototype. Photo courtesy of Sundberg-Ferar.

In the interview, Mead revealed that in initial discussions, the idea was to have a spare cab (the place where the operator sits) on each end of each line “so when the train would go across the Bay and then it would come back, you wouldn’t have to change the whole train around. You could take the control cabin off the back, install another one on the front and then, and away you go.”

That never came to be because “it’s such an elaborate thing,” Mead said.

After the sketch phase, Sundberg-Ferar began building a variety of small prototypes with wood, using a natural metal finish on the outside to further refine and evaluate the design direction. The firm then constructed quarter-scale models and eventually a full-scale prototype that was delivered to California (Sundberg-Ferar was based in Detroit) on the back of not one, but two, trailers. That model was unveiled officially at BART’s Hayward Test Track in June 1965 – about seven years before the system opened for service.

Representatives speak at the BART car prototype unveiling in June 1965. Photo courtesy of Sundberg-Ferar.

The full-scale model was shipped around the Bay Area, with BART allowing members of the public to walk through and try out the feel of it for themselves.

“The experience of the vehicle was mission critical to adoption,” Haggard said.

Per BART historian Michael Healy’s book, “BART: The Dramatic History of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System,” spot surveys suggested that “visitors to the models were, for the most part, very impressed with the cushioned seats, the carpeted floors, and the clean, wide body.” Some people, Healy writes, compared the experience to “being on an airplane, only with picture windows.”

“New standards of attractiveness, efficiency, and comfortableness was the banner flag,” Haggard said. She noted that BART’s design considerations for the project included ensuring the train cars were comfortable, well-lit, temperature-controlled, and as quiet as possible on the tracks. 

Half of the final BART car prototype traveling on a trailer to California in 1965. Photo courtesy of Sundberg-Ferar.

Carl Sundberg, one of the cofounders of Sundberg-Ferar, had a direct hand in the creation of the prototype. His goal: design a train car for the people.

“This was not to be some newfangled train,” Haggard said. “Even though BART was implementing all these new technologies, that didn’t mean the car was going to look like some sort of spaceship.”

In fact, Sundberg wanted the BART car to look like anything but a relic of space travel. He’s quoted as saying, “We are not going to the moon or across the country. It doesn’t have to look like a projectile.”

For that reason, Sundberg didn’t want the public to expect anything streamlined, hence the iconic sloping nose of the cab.

“It had to be an honest design,” Haggard said. “A rapid transit vehicle should look like a rapid transit vehicle.”

Haggard called the project “the opportunity of a lifetime” for Sundberg-Ferar designers, who had the chance to build a mass rail car from the ground up with plenty of creative leeway on BART’s end. At this time, in the mid-1960s, BART was the first mass urban rail transit system built in the US since the early 20th century (The New York City Subway, for instance, opened in 1904).

Sundberg, above all else, wanted to design train cars with people in mind. Though human-centered design is now a well-accepted concept, it was novel at the turn of the century.

“It must be borne in mind that the object being worked on is going to be ridden in, sat upon, looked at, talked into, activated, operated, or in some way used by people individually or en masse,” wrote Henry Dreyfuss, an industrial designer, in November 1950. “If the point of contact between the product and people becomes a point of friction, then the designer has failed. If, on the other hand, people are made safer, more comfortable, more desirous of purchase, more efficient – or just plain happier – by contact with the product, then the designer has succeeded.”

With voices such as Dreyfuss’s painting a backdrop of design thought, Sundberg set out to apply the theory of human-centered design to the BART car.

“This is really the beginning of an era,” said Haggard. “BART is an amazing representation of what was a huge mindset shift in mass transit.”

As we leap into the new year, we’re taking the time to reflect on the stories that moved us this past year.  

From chance encounters to behind-the-scenes heroes, these stories reflect what makes BART so much more than a mode of transportation. 

Read about BART’s Top Accomplishments in 2025

All about the trains

In 2025, our trains were front and center. From welcoming the 1,000th Fleet of the Future car to celebrating the legacy cars that built the system, we spent the year telling their stories. 

• The Grand Meet makes sure late-night riders can get anywhere in the system before the end of service 
• Cleaner trains than ever: Meet the team that has five minutes to clean every BART train 
• The 1,000th Fleet of the Future car was just delivered. Here's what happens next. 
• Oakland Ballers step up to the plate to save legacy BART car the A's rejected 
• BART unveils Cab Cam video series, showcasing the entire system in 4K 
• A legacy BART car prepared for its next act: A vacation rental in the Sierra foothills 
• Meet the Tango team, the mainline technicians who fix trains while they’re moving 

Riders take BART on the town

BART gets people where they need to go, and in some cases, changes their lives for the better. This year, our riders showed us where they went and who they met along the way.  

• They chatted in the Transbay Tube in 1983. This fall, they celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary 
• Your best BART summer (by BART’s biggest fans) 
• The Bay Area camp that field trips on transit 
• Announcements recorded by local youth with autism playing in BART stations for Autism Acceptance Month

Rail tales

There’s more to running a railroad than trains and track. These stories zoomed in on the infrastructure, equipment, and teams that power our system.  

• “A great feat”: BART constructs new power substation in one of its busiest stations 
• How BART replaced a key transformer in the core of the system on a whirlwind schedule 
• How BART’s Earthquake Response Team is preparing for the next “Big One” 
• This 1,200-pound gear makes escalators run. Fixing it is no simple task. 
• Meet the artists who created original works for BART’s Downtown San Francisco escalator canopies 
• BART’s Inspector General is asking tough questions and saving taxpayers millions of dollars 

BART employees go above and beyond 

BART employees come from the communities the system serves. We celebrated their dedication (and fascinating life experiences) with storytelling.  

• Transit is punk: Kamala Parks went from cofounding 924 Gilman Street to urban planning at BART 
• BART managers take to the trains to hear directly from riders 
• BARTy: The official history of BART's beloved mascot 
• BART PD honors 20 individuals for their dedication to system safety 
• BART Leans into ideas from employees to save money and improve the rider experience 
• I was one of the first female train operators at BART. This is my story. 
• Holiday Toy Drive: BART employees donate more than 1,020 gifts and $3,275 in gift cards to organization supporting local youth and families 
• BART's Mark Nagales honored his grandmother’s memory with one final trip on a legacy train 
• BART Police welcomes new hires from a variety of backgrounds and experiences 

BART’s impact 

These stories zoomed out to show how BART supported the region and its vibrant economy.  

• Millbrae Station uplifts the city’s economy and community 
• How Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station supports a city’s businesses, residents, and tourists 

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BART is going all in on bikes! Beginning January 1, 2024, bikes will be allowed on most of the escalators throughout the BART system to help make it easier for people to bring their bikes on board the train. 

This change was approved by the BART Board of Directors at the request of Director Rebecca Saltzman. The vote authorizes further changes to BART’s bike rules, including allowing bikes on all train cars except the first car (bikes were previously banned from the first three cars during commute times), and allowing bicyclists to secure bikes on the train using the bike lean bar and straps, instead of holding them.  

The bike rules were last changed 10 years ago, when BART ended the ban on bikes on BART during commute hours.  Over the last decade, longer and heavier bicycles, such as e-bikes and cargo bikes, have soared in popularity.

“Carrying bikes up and down stairwells can be difficult and not all bikes fit in our elevators,” said BART Director Rebecca Saltzman. “Updating our rules will make BART easier to use for cyclists and families bringing bikes on the train. Bikes play an important role in getting people out of their cars and on public transit and these updated rules encourage environmentally friendly multimodal travel options.”  

BART encourages riders to use their best judgment when utilizing system escalators and elevators because individual bikes vary in size and weight. 

BART is releasing a new video detailing safety tips for bringing bikes on escalators in the BART system.

See updated Bikes on BART rules here:

*Bikes will remain banned from BART’s ten narrow escalators located at the following three stations: 19th Street Oakland, Antioch and Oakland Airport Connector

Bike + Transit Trips

BART's Trip Planner offers multi-modal, end-to-end itineraries for bike + transit trips. It features customizable bike speed options including an option for e-bikes (select the settings/tool icon to customize your options). BART's Trip Planner includes results for more than 30 transit systems in the Bay Area such as bus service, ferries, cable cars, and regional train systems.

BART's Trip Planner is available on web, mobile, and the official BART app. The BART app also offers station information, including information on secured bike parking.

Elevator Dimension Guide

BART also offers this Elevator Dimension Guide to assist cyclists in navigating BART elevators. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. As always, use your best judgment when utilizing system elevators because individual bikes and elevators vary in size. 

Crime on BART plummeted in 2025, a testament to the hard work of the BART Police Department and the effectiveness of BART's investment in initiatives and infrastructure that both increase safety and enhance the customer experience.  

Overall crime on BART dropped 41% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 31% and property crime down 43%, according to the December 2025 Chief’s Monthly Report. Additional highlights include auto thefts decreasing by half year over year and robberies decreasing by 60%.  

This substantial decrease in crimes in the system comes as ridership continues to grow steadily, with BART serving nearly 5 million more trips in 2025 than 2024, a year that also saw ridership growth in addition to a drop in crime.  

“Safety is about more than enforcement. It’s about presence, partnership, and creating an environment where all riders feel comfortable using BART,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “BART PD is committed to deterring criminal activity, responding quickly when help is needed, and ensuring riders feel safe throughout their journeys. These numbers demonstrate the impact of officers who are engaged and focused on building trust with the communities BART serves.” 

“Riders are witnessing firsthand the improvements to safety, cleanliness, and customer experience that define the New BART,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “We’ve combined infrastructure upgrades, such as improved fare gates and station lighting, with additional safety presence and customer-centered service to make BART a comfortable experience for everyone who rides. I want to thank BART PD for their tireless commitment to serving the public.”  

BART PD boosted the visible safety presence in the system by doubling officer presence systemwide and ensuring police are riding trains more. This approach is strengthened by BART’s ongoing use of unarmed Crisis Intervention Specialists, Transit Ambassadors, Fare Inspectors, and Community Service Officers.  

Safety efforts were also bolstered by the installation of 715 new fare gates at all 50 stations, a project completed in August 2025, four months ahead of schedule. The taller, stronger fare gates are improving the station environment and deterring fare evasion and unwanted behavior. The number of riders who say they’ve witnessed someone not paying has dropped 59% in the last year.  

BART also maintains a network of 4,000+ surveillance cameras, minimizing response time and holding suspects accountable, and continues to install LED lighting on platforms and in parking facilities to eliminate dark corners. Efforts such as these not only improve safety, but the entirety of the BART experience by making the system more welcoming and comfortable.  

In 2025, BART PD continued its robust officer recruitment campaign with a $15,000 hiring bonus and a robust outreach strategy, including a dedicated JoinBARTPD.com recruitment site and the recent launch of a BART PD Instagram to reach potential recruits where they’re at.  

BART will offer a Sunday service schedule for Thanksgiving. This means on Thursday, November 27, 2025, BART hours will be 8am-midnight with all five lines running until 9pm and three lines running from 9pm-midnight. 

On Friday, November 28, we will be running regular weekday service (5am-midnight). 

Free parking at BART on Thanksgiving Day  

Parking will be free at all stations except for Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose, which are operated by the Valley Transportation Authority. All other parking rules will be enforced. 

The day after Thanksgiving is not a parking holiday. Those who need to park can purchase Daily Fee parking using the official BART app. Click here for instructions to pay by app. 

Parking at a BART station for your Thanksgiving trip 

Airport parking can be a hassle and is always expensive, except at BART stations. We offer inexpensive multi-day parking (see options below) at many stations with easy online reservations. Purchase parking on the official BART app or pay by website. 

Single/Multi-Day Reserved parking is for consecutive overnight stays of up to 20 weekdays. You will need to provide the license plate of the car you plan to drive and a phone number. Reference our guide for paying for Single/Multi-Day Reserved parking here.

Monthly Reserved parking is for stays of up to 24 hours at a time, charged on a recurring monthly basis, and provides a guaranteed space until 10am. This is not to be used while travelling for several days in a row.

Reserved parking signs are blue + white or yellow. During the holidays we experience a higher demand in Reserved parking; if there is not a reserved spot available when you arrive, park in the Daily Fee area and you will not be cited. Daily Fee parking is only allowed in the Daily Fee area. 

Another option to travel to SFO via BART is to purchase Multi-Day Reserved parking and drive to Millbrae Station or San Bruno Station, then take a quick ride to SFO Airport. 

Find an overview of parking at BART at bart.gov/parking. 

Taking BART to SFO or OAK 

Traveling by plane for the holiday? It’s easy to ride BART to the airport. You can take the train directly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Plan your trip and find fares by using BART’s online Trip Planner and read our comprehensive guide on riding BART to the airport.  

In July, BART released the Role in the Region Report, a comprehensive study of BART's impact on the Bay Area illustrated by new analyses, data visualizations, and powerful personal narratives. Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing some of the key insights from the report in a series of Role in the Region articles here on bart.gov. Read the first article here. We encourage you to read the full report - click here - and visit the project webpage at bart.gov/roleintheregion. 

Today's post examines BART's impact on the regional economy. See the full report for methodology.

Fueled by unparalleled venture capital funding, a resilient technology sector, and a growing cluster of artificial intelligence (AI) companies, the Bay Area economy remains hot. BART provides access to a region at the leading edge of technological innovation and economic investment. Since 2021, the Bay Area has regularly attracted at least 50 percent of the total venture capital investment in innovative sectors such as information technology. 

San Francisco and the Peninsula

San Francisco continues to be a haven for innovative technology-focused businesses, and many firms cluster in BART-adjacent neighborhoods like South of Market and Hayes Valley.

Proximity to BART is a must-have for San Francisco’s downtown office market. Historically, office buildings near BART have outperformed non-BART accessible buildings based on market rents. Downtown San Francisco also has multiple “trophy” office buildings, which are commanding Downtown San Francisco’s highest rents and have the lowest vacancy rates. These buildings are all within a 15-minute walk of a BART station.

Top 15 San Francisco Office Buildings by Monthly Rent

Along the Peninsula, mutual growth in development and BART ridership is expected. At Millbrae Station, the newly opened Gateway Transit Oriented Development has over 157,000 square feet of office space, ground floor retail, a 164-room hotel, and 400 residential units. At San Bruno Station, the Southline project is slated for occupancy by the end of 2024 and is made up of 2.8 million square feet of office and research and development space. The existing Tanforan Mall is also in the process of planning to transform into a transit-oriented mixed-use village with 2 million square feet of life science, 1,014 housing units, and 86,000 square feet of retail space.

The East Bay

The East Bay’s economy continues to uniquely leverage BART. Employment centers in the East Bay, which has the highest concentration of BART stations in the system, represent tremendous regional growth potential.

Emerging industries are choosing to locate in BART-served parts of the East Bay. These emerging industries include creative technology and design— like software publishing, data processing, and advanced manufacturing. In addition, there are emerging industry-specific job hubs for manufacturing in Fremont and wholesale trade in Union City. While most AI investment has gone to companies in San Francisco or the Peninsula, the East Bay has its own innovation industries, including biomedical device manufacturing, computer technology, food innovation, and clean tech. These industries and others have driven demand for almost one million square feet of R&D and manufacturing space in the last ten years and attracted $5.5 billion in venture capital in 2021.

East Bay Office Space Rent per Square Foot

Many East Bay cities are responding to changing economic trends by adding jobs and housing. East Bay cities are leveraging access to BART to help shift market momentum towards their downtowns and prime infill locations. Demand and rents for East Bay commercial and industrial space remain high. Figure 2.9 shows that BART-served cities like Fremont and Walnut Creek continue to see increased rent for office space, and East Bay office rents have increased 59 percent overall since 2013. The East Bay industrial market continues to see high demand for warehouse and manufacturing space, with 11 consecutive quarters of net positive square footage leased as of 2023’s first quarter, with brokers and developers reporting an increased interest in transit accessibility for industrial tenants.

What BART Riders Say

When starting his own business, Raja Singh (pictured below with his son, Tyler) realized that transit would serve his employees’ well-being and morale. It also, as an added bonus, would serve his own interests and priorities as the head honcho. 

"People perceive going into the office as somewhat of a burden, and I thought it was important to make it as easy as possible for folks,” he said. “It’s more relaxing to get on BART and zone out or work than it is to navigate a tunnel and bridge then find parking downtown.” Raja would know – he's been commuting by BART for well over a decade. 

Raja also cited the recruitment benefits of headquartering his company by transit. They can enter the office, at 44 Montgomery Street, directly from the station, without having to step foot outside. Raja said nine of his employees live in the Bay Area and all of them commute by transit – seven take BART and two travel by Muni from their homes in the city. 

“Because we’re located at a transit hub, we can recruit from the East Bay, the South Bay, the Peninsula, and the city all at once, and it’s equally easy to get there,” he said “There's nowhere else in the Bay where you can say that. It gives you the broadest recruiting reach.” 

Read more about Raja here.