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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 participate in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill Thursday, October 19, 2023 to test our emergency response systems and to help raise public awareness of the importance of having a plan and being prepared.

At 10:19 am, BART staff will trigger our ShakeAlert early warning earthquake system to ensure it is functioning and working correctly. Once triggered, trains will automatically slow down to 27 mph. Then all trains will come to a very brief stop. BART will also make a systemwide public announcement encouraging riders to be prepared for earthquakes. BART will also test our internal communications systems to notify employees and the Operations Control Center will observe earthquake alarms and our train control systems to ensure they are working properly.

ShakeAlert Early Warning Earthquake System

BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert system which is connected to seismic stations located throughout Northern California. When the alarm is triggered, the system sends a speed restriction command to trains. This system removes human response time and can even slow trains down before the shaking occurs depending on how far away the quake is centered.

BART Adds Inspections to ShakeAlert Drill

For the first time in recent years, BART is adding simulated damage inspections to its ShakeAlert drill. Shortly after ShakeAlert is triggered Thursday, about 60 engineers will divide into teams and fan out to all 50 stations to conduct structural assessments. The engineers will inspect walkways, support structures, elevators, escalators – anything that could sustain damage in a powerful earthquake. The simulation is designed to identify areas for improvement and to exercise “muscle memory” for BART’s earthquake response. 

Emergency Response Plan

BART has an Earthquake Emergency Response Plan and we hold several drills a year to ensure staff is trained and ready to respond. In the event of an earthquake, riders should listen for instructions from BART personnel. Employees are trained to evacuate the public from dangerous areas.  Following an earthquake, BART trains are held in place (except for trains in the Transbay Tube and BART Caldecott Tunnel) until it is determined it is safe to move the train to the nearest station where riders will be off-boarded.

Earthquake Safety Tips

Where will you be and what will you do when the next big earthquake hits? Taking time to consider these questions now could help if you ever do find yourself in an earthquake.

LISTEN FOR INSTRUCTIONS

That’s one reason why the first guideline in a BART emergency is to follow instructions from BART personnel. The BART Operations Control Center is in constant communication with trains and Station Agents and is in the best position to manage emergencies and provide direction for the public.

ON A TRAIN

If you’re on a train during an earthquake, Train Operators will follow BART’s established emergency plan and provide you with important information. Sit down or grab a handhold to avoid injury. If an evacuation is necessary, emergency response personnel will coordinate.

IN A STATION

If you’re in a station during an earthquake, back away from the edge of the trackway. If you’re in the station concourse, don’t proceed to the platform. Instead, prepare to evacuate the station under the direction of BART personnel.

TRY TEXTING

No matter where you are, emergency experts recommend using text messaging instead of cell calls to communicate with family and loved ones in an emergency. Cell networks can be overwhelmed if everyone’s trying to call at the same time; text messages can be more efficient.

Earthquake Safety Program

BART has spent the last decade retrofitting vulnerable high traffic portions of the original system to make it safer in a large quake. The Earthquake Safety Program is funded in part by Measure AA, a $980 million general obligation BART bond approved by voters in 2004. The Program focused on upgrading portions of the original system not only for life safety but also to ensure that we can return to operation shortly after a major earthquake.

   
In December 2016, The BART Board of Directors awarded a $313 million contract to install a steel liner inside the Transbay Tube and the installation of a new water pumping system.

Listen to our podcast (or read the transcript) about our efforts to improve earthquake safety at BART.

Visit Shakeout.org for simple safety steps during earthquakes.

Ride transit, attend free events, win prizes, and connect with the community  

This September marks the Bay Area’s eleventh annual Transit Month. There are many opportunities to get on BART and celebrate the public transportation that keeps the Bay Area moving.   

Hosted by San Francisco Transit Riders and Seamless Bay Area with support from local agencies, Transit Month toasts the many trains, buses, and ferries that connect the region and uplift its communities, economies, and cultures.   

Transit Month is a great opportunity to explore the places transit can take you and to connect with local agencies and riders. The month is hallmarked by dozens of free events hosted by agencies, organizations, and transit fans. Find some of the BART-centric events below and the full event schedule here. 

Ride Contest

The annual Ride Contest invites participants to track their transit trips to win prizes, earn badges, and vie for top leaderboard positions. Some prizes require taking the most rides; others will enter your name into a raffle for each ride taken.  

There are great prizes contributed by local transit agencies, including the opportunity for you and a guest to ride in the BART mobile during a 2027 parade of your choice, a BART Legacy Fleet HO Scale Model Train Car, and a 2026 BART holiday sweater. 

Sign up at ridecontest.com and log trips between September 1 and 30.  

Anniversary BART Speedrun – September 6  

Speedrun the BART System to celebrate BART’s birthday and California Speedrun Day. What’s a BART speedrun? It means visiting all 50 BART stations as fast as possible. The schedule has been created by speedrunning pros and will take around 6 hours, with special appearances by BART representatives. Join for the whole ride or hop on for a portion. 

The group meets at Berryessa/North San Jose Station (on the lower level past the fare gates) at 10:20am to catch a 10:37am Orange Line train. Make sure you have $12.15 on your Clipper card, not including your BART ride to Berryessa, or pay for your trip with Tap and Ride.

More info here

Ride-Along with Transit CEOs – September 11 

BART General Manager Bob Powers and regional transit CEOs will participate in a Ride-Along on Friday, September 11. It’s a great opportunity to meet the leaders and ask questions while riding multiple types of transit around the Bay Area.  

All Aboard with Transit CEOs will include rides on with rides on AC Transit, BART, SF Muni, and Caltrain. The theme of this year’s ride is financial efficiency and raising awareness of the $1 billion in cost-saving measures taken by the four agencies from July 2019 through June 2025. 

View the full details, route, and list of participating CEOs.

Rapid Transit History Center Exhibit at Western Railway Museum – September 12-13 

A new interactive exhibit at the Western Railway Museum lets visitors step aboard three legacy BART cars and explore and explore the technology, design, and history of the system. 

The exhibit is open to the public September 12 and 13, 9:30am to 5pm, at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. BART's merch store Railgoods will have a pop-up at the museum on September 12, from 11am to 3pm. Purchase tickets here. 

More info here

All Aboard Bay Area Transit – September 15 

Tuesday, September 15, is All Aboard Transit Day, when transit agencies encourage people to hop onboard their systems to experience their recent service and customer experience improvements.  

On the morning of All Aboard Transit Day, BART staff will be stationed throughout the system to hand out special stickers to riders. If staff see you wearing the sticker later in the day, they'll gift you some BART swag (while supplies last).   

Let’s Glow! BART Anime Festival – September 19 

BART’s hallmark event this year will be the Let’s Glow! BART Anime Festival on Saturday, September 19 at Warm Springs/South Fremont Station. Let’s Glow! Is a celebration of anime, art, music, cosplay and transit fandom. This year’s free festival will be bigger and better than ever, with an expanded lineup of artists, performances, food, and cosplay.  

Learn more and RSVP at letsglowfestival.eventbrite.com (RSVP not required but helps us get a headcount).