Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) reported its highest weekly ridership since the pandemic during Super Bowl LX week, with more than one million riders using the system, according to its February Ridership Snapshot. Thursday, Feb. 5, marked the busiest single day in that period, with 225,832 trips recorded.
Preliminary data for March indicates continued growth. Saturday ridership has reached about 85% of pre-pandemic levels, and overall ridership so far this month is up 14% compared to the same period last year. Tuesday, March 24, was the third-busiest post-pandemic day, with more than 221,000 trips.
The increase in February ridership was largely attributed to visitors and residents traveling to Super Bowl-related events and activities across San Francisco. Transit officials say the numbers reflect the system’s capacity to handle increased demand during major regional events.
BART is expected to play a significant role in future large-scale events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the region prepares for increased visitor traffic.
In February, BART recorded 4.5 million total trips, a 13% increase year-over-year. Average weekday ridership reached 191,099, up 11% from the previous year. Weekend travel also saw gains, with average Saturday ridership at 129,183 (up 27%) and Sunday ridership at 77,296 (up 15%).
Additionally, more than 685,000 trips in February were made using the Tap and Ride contactless payment system, a 7% increase from the previous month. Officials say the option continues to gain traction among riders seeking faster and more convenient station entry.
So gas prices are high and people may be taking BART more but I would hope they are taking into account that after many CEOs demanded “back to the office” are now promoting “remote work” again. BART officials should look at this increase as a possible “blip” and could again face empty trains.
BART keeps bragging about how well they’re doing, while still begging and extorting money out of the public to keep operating. This is BART using sites like Claycord for free advertising to make the case to the public that voters should pass their sales tax funding measure because of everything they’re now doing right. BART remains a joke!!!
I hear that it’s like they are trying to speak something into existence. I am still voting NO on this prop don’t care how many people they flood me with at the store begging me to sign their petition. Bart had it’s chance and they allowed it to turn into a slush fund that ferries criminals and homeless all around the east bay on tax payer dime.
kinda like my post on the 20th with their parking lot leasing.
I thought we were back to pre-pandemic ridership levels???? that’s what they spouted off about recently. Not against them leasing out unused spaces to generate revenue but stop crying about money lost due to low ridership… it is worn out.
Angry American,
.
The highest level of ridership for BART was in 2019, with 146 million paid trips. In 2025, BART ridership was 55.5 million paid trips. BART is operating at 38% of 2019 ridership levels.
.. with gas prices going through the roof (I heard on KCBS that we could be looking at $8 real soon!) more people will take BART – all the more reason they should NOT be given another handout at taxpayers expense
………AND???????? Maybe Stop begging for bailouts!