At BART, we are firm believers that by thinking strategically, working hard, and engaging community, we can and will achieve remarkable things. With that, we chose to end 2020 with optimism.
Improvements to the rider experience
- We now have 17 Fleet of the Future trains in service
- We opened Berryessa and Milpitas stations
- We now offer a 20% fare discount for eligible low-income riders with Clipper Start
- We went Clipper only systemwide for a contactless experience
Explore Clipper and other discounts
We launched new features
- Contactless parking payment via the official BART app
- Customized in-app notifications to make it easy to get the information you need
- Text BART police option (510) 200-0992
- An online merchandise store so you can celebrate your love for BART
Download the Official BART app
Progress on exciting multi-year projects
- Awarded the contract to design and build a modern Communications Based Train Control System that will dramatically improve future BART service
- Awarded the contract for BART’s Digital Railway project to bring next-generation wireless connectivity to riders across the system
- Awarded contracts and began construction to build 22 canopies over entrances in downtown San Francisco
- Began construction to replace 41 escalators at downtown San Francisco stations
- Initiated the Fare Coordination & Integration Study with MTC and regional transit agencies
Check out our projects and plans
Changes within policing
- Hired Ed Alvarez, a 23-year veteran of the BART Police Department, bringing a new vision for safety
- Created a train team of 12 police officers dedicated to riding trains and walking platforms on nights and weekends
- Launched the successful and award-winning unarmed Ambassador Pilot and formalized the program
- Hired 35 officers, bringing vacancies to a new low of 20
- Established the new Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau within BPD
We advanced police reform
- Began Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training to give officers the skills to safely defuse critical incidents with people experiencing a mental health crisis
- Banned the use of the Carotid Control Hold
- Expanded the officer-worn body camera activation buffer with new audio requirement
- Held 16 stakeholder outreach meetings to solicit feed-back on new public safety approaches with 1000 survey responses
Learn more about our decade of police reforms
We focused on infrastructure
- Completed two major track rebuilding projects at Orinda and Hayward
- Accelerated 34.5kV power cable replacement, rail profiling, rail and third rail replacement, tunnel waterproofing, lighting projects and more
Learn about how we are rebuilding
We continued to modernize our stations
- Began construction for 19th Street Oakland Station Modernization; advanced construction at Powell Street and El Cerrito del Norte stations
- Designed and installed new swing style fare gates with a dramatic costs savings due to innovation while also uncoupling BART from a single vendor
- Started construction of energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades across 14 parking structures
- Awarded $3.5 million in Safe Routes to BART Grant Program to improve bike/ped access to Fremont, Dublin/ Pleasanton, Pittsburg Center, and Powell stations
What’s up with our fare gate project
We prioritized COVID-19 response
- Made available free masks at all stations
- Offered free hand sanitizer stations systemwide
- Sharing crowding data
- Testing disinfecting technologies and upgraded air filters
- Reprioritized cleaning schedules to ensure all train cars are sprayed with disinfecting mist every 24 hours
Read all 50 accomplishments
The rest of the list includes specifics on how:
- We supported local, small businesses
- We continued our Transit Oriented Development efforts
- We focused on financial stability
- We invested in our employees
