Could the Bay Area lose BART?

Those deep cuts, agency officials say, could lead to the demise of BART. A Bay Area without BART, however unimaginable, would further fragment public transit, worsen traffic congestion on highways and bridges, and erode the natural flow of a region so profoundly shaped by the rail system.



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Once celebrated for its financial independence, BART is now facing a financial crisis. In large part because of just that, its dependence on riders.

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In 2019, approximately 400,000 individuals rode BART weekly; in 2023, ridership has plummeted to just 100,000-150,000 per week. A Bay Area Council/EMC Research poll conducted last month indicates that only 17% of BART riders in the Bay Area feel safe while using the system.

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Constructed in 57 sections, and reposing on the bay floor as deep as 135 feet beneath the surface, the remarkable $180 million structure took six years of toil and seismic studies to design, and less than three years to contract.

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Places to Avoid in San Francisco
  • The Tenderloin. The downtown area of San Francisco, also known as the Tenderloin, is commonly ranked as one of the most dangerous areas in San Francisco. ...
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  • Golden Gate Park.


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Most shocking is the finding that only 17% of frequent BART riders feel safe on the transit system, with 87% of frequent riders saying that the word 'safe' does not describe the word in it's current form.

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Earthquake Safety Program The Transbay Tube is BART's most critical asset. Although the tube is structurally sound, in a very large and very rare earthquake, the outer shell and concrete liner are predicted to crack.

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This is the deep clean -- BART's all-out, every-nook-and-cranny effort to fight back against whatever the Bay Area throws at or into these trains. Every 400 hours we come in, Burditt explained. From top to bottom. Each car takes two people and about two to three hours to complete.

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They occur every 450 hours a car is in service. If a car is not scheduled for a thorough clean on a given night, it will get a standard clean. Depending on time constraints, cleaners may sweep cars for debris, disinfect seats and poles, scrub graffiti, spray hanging straps with disinfectant, and mop the floor.

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The COVID-19 pandemic changed how Bay Area residents live, work, and travel. It hit BART and all other public transit systems hard, decimating transit ridership and, along with it, the transit fare revenue we rely on to keep trains running. We are in an unprecedented moment, with the survival of BART at risk.

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Factoring in these new state budget funds, assuming MTC commissioners adopt the staff recommendation in mid-November 2023, BART must now solve a $326M deficit before FY28. It was previously $678M. BART would then face and annual operating deficit of $264M starting in FY28.

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The operating budget funds the annual operation and maintenance of the BART system. Operating budget sources include passenger and parking revenue, taxes, and financial assistance from local, state and federal sources.

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Like most trains, BART wheels are tied together with rigid axels and no differentials. This means the wheels always rotate at the same speed, even around corners. Because the inner radius is smaller, there is less distance to travel, which can cause a slippage between the wheels and track, which is noisy.

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The BART server calculates the earthquake's seismic intensity within nanoseconds, and if the seismic intensity -- or MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale) -- is greater than IV, the server will automatically signal trains to reduce speeds. Trains then automatically begin slowing to 27 mph.

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You can bring your lunch or groceries onto a train, just please don't eat it, he said. BART has a no eating or drinking policy in the Paid Areas in an effort to keep the trains and stations as clean as possible.

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Core BART trains are 100% electric. As the trains brake, BART trains convert their kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy. Some of the energy regenerated during the process is returned to the power distribution system, where it is then used by other trains.

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It's totally safe. If you want to minimize time spent outside the turnstyles (where problems are more likely to lurk), purchase a BART ticket with sufficient funds to travel to the airport earlier in the day.

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However, like any public transportation system, it's advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, travel in well-lit areas, and be cautious when traveling alone at night. Is BART safe to ride alone? Yes, BART is generally safe to ride alone.

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