BART again saves power by reducing train speeds, station lighting

Reduction in power less extensive than Monday, should not affect schedule

For the second straight day, BART is doing its part to help prevent rolling blackouts Tuesday by volunteering to reduce the tremendous demand for electricity on the state's power grid.

Tuesday morning at 10 a.m., BART began reducing train speeds along some sections of track and turning down the lighting at all 43 stations. This power reduction will last through at least eight o'clock tonight.

BART volunteered to reduce its electricity consumption after PG&E asked BART to do so this morning. That's despite the fact BART is on the list of essential services, which means rolling blackouts do not cut power to BART trains, stations and essential communications.

POWER REDUCTION IMPACTS JUST THREE SECTIONS OF TRACK
Tuesday's power reduction impacts trains running along just three sections of track: between Pittsburg/Bay Point and North Concord, between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette and between Dublin/Pleasanton and Castro Valley. Trains are running at slower speeds along these sections of track but this is not expected to affect the schedule. Trains will not run at more than 60 mph along these sections of track, whereas on a normal day they may approach 80 mph.

POWER SAVINGS
For the second straight day, BART has also reduced lighting by 20 to 30 percent in all of its 43 stations. However, BART will make sure the reduced lighting does not compromise the safety and security of BART passengers.

By reducing power consumption yesterday, BART estimates it saved between five and seven megawatts. BART's demand is typically 80 megawatts per day. PG&E says each megawatt of electricity is enough to power approximately 1,000 homes.