BART has completed the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all 12 stations in Contra Costa County, marking a major milestone in its systemwide modernization effort. The new gates feature faster processing, transparent barriers, and improved accessibility for riders using mobility devices, strollers, or luggage. The upgrades are designed to reduce fare evasion, increase reliability, and enhance the overall rider experience. Officials, including Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, gathered at the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station on Thursday night to mark the occasion and highlight the benefits of the project. BART Board President Mark Foley and Director Matt Rinn emphasized the importance of restoring rider confidence and modernizing outdated infrastructure. “These new gates reflect our renewed focus on safety, efficiency, and public trust,” said Rinn. Pleasant Hill Mayor and MTC Chair Sue Noack noted that the upgrades are already contributing to an increase in paid ridership, while East Bay Leadership Council CEO Mark Orcutt called the project “a smart investment in regional economic competitiveness.” The project, according to BART, was made possible through funding from the California Strategic Growth Council, Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission, Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), the Federal Transit Administration, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Claycord Note: BART may have unveiled new gates, but they still haven’t unlocked the ability to say ‘thank you’ to the public. For all the fanfare, ribbon-cutting, and self-congratulation, the most important contributors—Bay Area riders and taxpayers—were noticeably absent from the acknowledgments listed in their press release. It’s the public’s continued support, through fares, taxes, and unrelenting patience, that makes any modernization possible.
Just crawl under, like a pay toilet.
The people that are patting them on the back are themselves .
Well said, Claycord!
Good note, congratulations to us, not those empty Big and Tall suits.
The fare gates are better but not perfect.
1) They still allow for someone to sneak in behind a fare paying customer.
2) The fare gates no longer indicate how much is left on your card.
3) The fare gate readers are much slower, leading to back ups when many people are trying to leave the station.
“Fire!”
“Earthquake!”
“Active Shooter!”
Who else is loving the unbridled version of Mr. Mayor?
😉
It’s better than nothing but enough of the grandstanding by politicos that have no real clue….. thanks ND for the article / post.
But not a thing done in SF or Oakland.How many fare evaders start in Concord?
It’s bittersweet reading about the ribbon cutting of one of my signature initiatives as an 8-yr BART
Board Director. I spent years working to bring public attention to the problem of fare evasion at BART and the fare gate replacement was one of a package of initiatives that I fought for. I wasn’t invited to this soire, but the headline here by Claycord makes it all ok.
It’s ironic that two of the Contra Costa politicians in that photo, County Supe Carlson and WC Councilmember Wilk, are the very two local politicians that headlined the campaign kickoff event for my opponent in my 2020 re-election race. They enthusiastically agreed with my opponent whose primary reason for running was that she believed I was a racist for wanting to control fare evasion and reduce crime on BART. That’s what these two men supported in 2020. I won re-election with 64% in a 3 way race.
@Debora Allen – If you can find those quotes about you being racist for wanting to control fare evasion and reduce crime, send them to us at news@claycord.com. It would be great to call them out on their hypocrisy.
https://abc7news.com/bart-police-murder-oscar-grant/6244676/BART director Debora Allen criticized for controversial comment about agency’s police officers | abc7news.com
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bart-director-debora-allen-maga-hats-19964294.phpThis outgoing BART director gave out MAGA hats as a parting gift
Thank you Deborah Allen!