The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has updated its 15-step plan to welcome back riders by outlining what has changed and what riders can expect when they travel the system.
Step 1- Increase train frequency now an extend hours in September 2021
BART is now running trains every 15 minutes on most lines during peak hours Monday-Friday to allow for continued social distancing. Trains run every 30 minutes during other times and on weekends. BART closes at 9:00 p.m.
BART will run long trains all day to allow riders to spread out. BART has determined riders can maintain social distancing of six feet on-board train cars with no more than 30 people per car. Social distancing of three feet can be achieved with no more than 60 people per car.
BART plans to return to near pre-pandemic service levels and hours on Aug. 30, 2021.
Between June 1 and June 15, BART will add 26 new weekday trips. This will expand 15-minute frequencies on the lines with the highest ridership: Yellow, Green and Red. Saturday service will also get 15 new trips.
Starting Aug. 30, 2021, BART will expand service hours and significantly increase service:
- Weekday service will be 5:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. (currently 5:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) with 15-min frequencies on all lines from 5:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Saturday service will be 6:00 a.m-12:00 a.m. (currently 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) with five routes and added trains during peak hours for 15-min frequency.
Step 2- 50 percent off in September
BART will offer a special promotion of 50 percent off all fares on Clipper for the entire month of September. The discount will apply to already discounted Clipper cards such as Youth, Senior, RTC, Clipper Start and the Gator Pass.
Step 3 – Improved traditional cleaning
BART's cleaning resources are spent using traditional methods to clean cars, stations and bathrooms. BART continues to use hospital-grade disinfectant while cleaning and is now hiring dozens of more cleaners to support traditional cleaning methods with a special focus on ensuring clean seats and clean restrooms.
Some station entrances/exits have been closed in Downtown San Francisco, Downtown Oakland, Downtown Berkeley and Balboa Park stations to help focus cleaning and safety efforts. BART began to reopen these entrances May 15, with all reopened by June 14, 2021.
Step 4 - Upgraded air filters and industry ventilation best practices
The air in BART cars is replaced every 70 seconds and is filtered prior to being dispersed through the window frame. After a successful pilot, BART in 2021 began replacing air filters in its HVAC systems with MERV-14 filters which can trap even smaller particles than the MERV-8 filters that were used previously. By June 2021, all cars will have MERV-14 filters.
BART is also piloting a UV-light rod filter for even greater protection in the HVAC system.
Air flow in elevators: Elevators have significant air exchange by design compared to many indoor spaces and are required by code to have openings for ventilation. While riders are in an elevator for a very short duration- one minute or two, it is important to point out that fresh air is introduced every time the elevator door opens, and BART elevators include exhaust fans in the ceiling to increase ventilation.
Step 5 - Require face coverings
BART will continue to require face coverings at all times for all riders over the age of two. The latest directive from the TSA has extended the requirement to wear masks on public transit until Sept. 13, 2021. BART will continue to follow guidelines related to masks. All stations systemwide have extra masks available at the station agent booths for those who need one to ride. BART is also supplying officers and ambassadors with extra masks to hand out if necessary.
BART is asking everyone to do their part to help protect their fellow riders by properly wearing face coverings at all times, even if fully vaccinated, while in the system. BART survey takers are monitoring mask compliance, measuring the number of people who are properly wearing face coverings that cover both mouth and nose at all times. As of May 2021, mask compliance is an average of 92 percent across all hours of service. BART is using the data from the survey takers to focus educational and enforcement efforts. BART also has an active educational campaign with overhead announcements every 15 minutes, messages on the platform signs, and posters across the system.
Step 6 - Increased safety staff
BART now has a historically high number of uniformed safety staff presence on platforms and on-board trains, including sworn officers, non-sworn personnel, fare inspectors and ambassadors. When enforcing the face covering requirement, BART Police and staff will center their efforts on education and providing masks for those who need one. BART Police’s primary focus will continue to be addressing serious crimes. BART's latest budget doubled the number of ambassadors to increase rider safety and assist with mask compliance. BART will add crisis intervention specialist to responding teams to help those experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health or addiction. Increased attention will also be paid to keeping station entryways clear and safe for riders. BART is also working to increase safety for girls and gender expansive youth through the Not One More Girl campaign to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence on transit.
Step 7- Mobile payment
BART has now transitioned to Clipper-only at stations systemwide and iPhone users can now use their phone or Apple Watch to pay for BART. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission launched the Clipper app with the option to add Clipper to a mobile wallet to pay fares.
BART fare gate readers now support Clipper payment via iPhone and Apple Watch. Android will launch in May 2021. All riders can use to app to immediately load funds to their Clipper card.
Clipper now offers a 20 percent low-income discount for BART trips through the Clipper START pilot program. Clipper also offers discounts for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities (proof of eligibility in advance required).
Riders can now pay for parking using the official BART app. The app parking payment feature systemwide to offer a touchless option. Now everyone can pay for BART parking using the app. There is ample parking available at BART.
Step 8 - Data transparency
BART will continue to post daily ridership numbers on its website, showing day by day ridership trends compared to pre-COVID-19 ridership. BART has launched schedule-based occupancy charts that show train car loading data based on the number of riders on a specific train and how on average those riders can spread out among the cars. The data is not available in real time but the charts are posted weekly online and can be used as a planning tool to know what to expect on board each train.
Step 9 - Hand sanitizer
BART will continue to offer free hand sanitizer at every station. Every station has at least one accessible dispenser. Dispensers are inspected at least once per week to ensure they are filled and are in working order.
Step 10 - Personal hand straps
With ridership increasing and more riders needing to stand, BART is selling personal hand straps for riders who want to use their own. A limited supply will be handed out as a surprise giveaway inside some stations to welcome riders back. The hand straps are available for purchase for $5 plus tax on BART's online store, by phone order by calling, and in person at the customer service window at Lake Merritt Station.
Step 11- Pilot new seat configuration
BART’s Fleet of the Future provides for modular seating. BART is piloting a new configuration of seats that could potentially help create space between riders. One car has been reconfigured and is now in service. The dedicated wheelchair spaces remain. BART does not plan to block off seats for use because it is difficult to enforce and is subject to vandalism.
Step 12 - Visual indicators
Large decals, posters and banners are being displayed throughout the system and on-board trains to reinforce safety standards, social distancing expectations and the face covering requirement.
Step 13 - Business community outreach
BART will encourage employers to allow for staggered shifts to help spread out the commute and avoid crowding during peak travel times. BART staff have been participating in virtual town halls with companies to answer questions about BART service and new safety measures. BART is offering personal hand straps in bulk purchases to employers to add to their welcome back to the office kits.
Step 14 - Healthy workforce
BART’s greatest asset is its employees and they must remain healthy to continue to provide service. BART is making it easy for workers to get vaccinated and is supplying employees with PPE and COVID-19 testing. Station agents have been advised to stay inside their booth as much as possible to limit exposure.
Step 15 - Rebuild infrastructure
BART has accelerated infrastructure rebuilding projects facilitated by the extra work hours made available due to an earlier closing time. The increased level of work is shaving off time on some of these projects that can be disruptive to passengers. The focus has been on projects that directly improve service reliability. This includes replacing electrical cables that power trains and running rail in critical sections of trackway across system. This accelerated work ensures that when riders return to the system, it will be in better shape than when they last used it.
