SFO BART station now easier to use for locals and visitors

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has made changes to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Station, making it easier and simpler to take the train.  

BART has modified platform assignments and improved signs and maps to help guide riders to the train they need. Upgrades have also been made to the process of purchasing fares to improve the experience. 

One center platform keeps it simple 

The biggest change is putting back into service the middle track at SFO Station creating an easily accessible and seamless center platform experience using platforms 1 and 2 rather than 1 and 3. All trains will now share the same island platform space. Riders can board either train from the same waiting area and will no longer have to take long trips around the center track or up the stairs or elevator to change platforms.  

Whether coming from the Airtrain level or the International Terminal level, confusing decision points have been removed, and riders will be pointed to one center platform for all trains. This configuration is a dramatic improvement for Millbrae bound riders who will now always board a train on platform 2. Previously, the platform changed depending on the time and day of the week.  

During the pandemic, BART says it significantly increased direct service to SFO, with both the Red and Yellow Lines serving SFO Station until 9:00 p.m. every day of the week (expect Sunday single-tracking days). After 9:00 p.m., the station is served by the Yellow Line only. 

Improved wayfinding 

The simpler platform assignments allow for more detailed wayfinding signage perfect for passengers who are new to BART, new to the Bay Area or first-time transit riders. SFO Station now features two new types of wayfinding information: overhauled route overview boards point riders to major destinations, including downtown San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley; and detailed line maps show all stops for each train. The line maps also show simplified transfer information to aid in route planning by providing a single recommended option for each transfer, even if it is available at multiple stations on the line. The line maps will work in tandem with standard BART system maps, which will let riders choose what they are more comfortable using. 

Fare payment upgrades 

As part of BART’s planned systemwide modernization of fare payment machines, staff are updating machines at SFO this month with tap-to-pay functions to accept contactless credit and debit cards at all machines and all Addfare machines inside the paid area will take credit and debit cards at the station (previously they were cash-only). BART will also be updating these machines with support for additional languages by the end of the year to make the SFO experience accessible to more riders than ever before. 

Clipper promotion 

To help address long lines at fare machines, BART and Clipper will heavily promote Clipper’s new pay-by-phone feature. For a limited time only, customers can add a new Clipper card on their phones for free (normally $3). Riders can instantly load cash value to their digital Clipper card in Apple Pay or Google Pay.