S.F. Bay Area train system's budget plan aims to boost capacity, on-time rates

Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) proposed budget for the next fiscal year would invest money into passenger capacity and improved on-time performance, as well as address concerns raised by customers in the latest customer-satisfaction survey of riders who use the San Francisco-Oakland area train system, BART said on Thursday.


“We know our riders are feeling more cramped than ever before and that keeping trains on time is one of their top priorities,” BART Board President Tom Blalock said. "Hope is on the horizon with the new Fleet of the Future rail cars that will begin going into service in late 2017, but until then, BART staff is proposing a number of projects to get the most out of our current fleet for our customers. It’s like playing chess – strategically moving the available pieces for the maximum benefit.”


The budget specifically looks to put 30 more train cars in service during peak periods and add 16 train trips each weekday.


The budget also includes funding to increase on-time performance by adding two more train-control technicians; extending hours for stand-by paramedics to respond more quickly to medical emergencies in and near the Transbay Tube; adding seven more grounds workers to keep the right-of-way clear of obstructions, such as branches and other vegetation; and adding six more rail-vehicle engineers to improve car reliability.