BART’s Board of Directors approved a contingency plan that would sharply cut service, close stations and raise fares if the agency fails to secure new funding to cover a projected $367 million deficit next fiscal year.
Facing a structural shortfall of $350 million to $400 million due to ridership still about 50% below pre-pandemic levels, the plan would take effect in January 2027. Service would be reduced to three main lines, trains would run every 30 minutes, and the system would close at 9 p.m. daily – a 63% reduction in service hours. Fares and parking fees would rise 30%.
If needed, a second phase in July 2027 could bring deeper cuts, including up to 15 station closures, a 70% reduction in service hours and fare increases of up to 50%.
The plan does not name specific stations. Officials warned that without new revenue, including a proposed 2026 regional sales tax measure, significant cuts, or even a shutdown, could be unavoidable.
Meanwhile, ridership is slowly recovering, with January exits up 10.7% year over year.
Good. Let it die. Stop with these bailouts.
And replace it with what? Maybe take back all those hiking trails that were originally light rail tracks? I imagine how popular that would be. Research has shown that light rail is better than systems like BART. The South Bay has it. Unfortunately hippie fortune tellers in the 1960s told politicians in the future money would grow on trees. What another fine mess politicos have gotten us into. 😎
How about nothing!
Captain Bebobs,
.
Keeping the interurban rail line that BART now runs on through centeral Contra Costa County would’ve been better. Had they kept the interurban line we would’ve been connected to San Francisco and Sacramento.
Captain Bebops,
.
The old interurban line actually ran 183 miles, from San Francisco to Chico.
This isn’t an actual plan, it’s a threat to blackmail people into supporting the tax hike. Any competent administrator could come up with something that keeps BART running with reasonable frequency during peak hours by cutting administrative bloat, excessive spending on BART police and reducing off-peak frequency. Of course they have every interest to not reform and to keep the gravy train flowing. If they can’t make it work, everyone should be fired and we should start over with new leadership.
They can threaten all they want but the years of corrupt leadership and increased criminal threat there is no reason to keep this trainwreck going just to give access to criminals and homeless on our tax dime. Let BART go extinct!!!
How many executives will they layoff as part of this plan? What other structural expense cutting, closing a station doesn’t count, is in progress?
DO not vote for any sales tax increase. It just continues to allow government agencies to waste all our money. Bart is using intimidation to get it passed.
garbear,
.
While Contra Costa County voters will likely be the closest to voting no, this is unfortunately a multi-county measure where we can expect Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara voters to vote yes on this tax measure.
Of course it’s a blackmail plan since there is no mention of employee layoffs…. which account for at least 65% of BART’s costs.
Bob Truesdale,
.
The plan calls for laying off 1,170 BART employees.
That’s a NO, on 2026 regional sales tax measure ! ! !
Suggest someone that knows how to negotiate a
labor contract be hired.
Based on 2024–2025 data, top executives at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) often receive total compensation averaging around $288,143 per year, with some high-level positions earning up to $720,000, including benefits. Key roles like assistant general managers and chief officers generally have salary bands between $185,000 and $310,000+ annually.
I wonder how much the average rider makes, Salary and benefits. And how many lashes on their back they’re willing to take to keep riding the bureaucrats gravy trains………… Vote NO! or this will never stop!
Original G,
.
Contra Costa County is also putting a 0.625% sales tax on the ballot this year.
I noticed there’s not really anything stated about reducing overtime or management costs, so this is really a fear tactic BART is engaging in. I really think BART needs to be taken down to the studs and rebuilt into a much more efficient, cost effective model. Giving bloated bureaucracies like this blank checks is never a good solution, especially with the fraud and waste that have been flagged.
If that’s the best plan BART can come up with – let it wither …..it’s throwing in the police and fire depts without getting serious in developing a real plan … service cuts, closed stations and price increases? They’re making a case for riders to go away…. cut the top heavy management, cut management salaries, zero out bonuses, get serious about property and asset management, & freeze wage contracts for 5 yrs…. then we can talk price increases with NO service cuts or station closures.
Time to tighten that belt. The gig is up.