BART stops trains for one minute to commemorate "Great California ShakeOut"

On Thursday, October 21 at 10:21 am, BART will bring to a stop all trains for about one minute to participate in the U.S. Geological Survey's annual earthquake preparedness event called "The Great California ShakeOut." The event is designed to encourage people to participate in earthquake drills on the 142nd anniversary of the last major quake to shake the Hayward fault. That 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred on October 21, 1868.

When BART trains stop for one minute, the agency will use the time to say "thanks" to its riders and the public for their overwhelming support for a 2004 BART Earthquake Safety bond measure. The agency will also use the symbolic stopping of trains to remind customers why BART halts service immediately after even minor quakes.

The Hayward fault is of particular concern to BART because all five train lines either cross or run fairly close to that fault. Fortunately, BART is halfway through its $1.2 billion Earthquake Safety Program, which is strengthening the system to withstand the maximum credible earthquake.