BART awarded $250 million for Core Capacity Improvements

BART’s plan to achieve up to 45% in additional capacity on the existing BART system by running more frequent and longer trains has been awarded $250M by a state program to fund transformative capital improvements.

The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) award announced January 31, 2023 will help fund BART’s Transbay Corridor Core Capacity Program. The program includes a new train control system, 306 additional new rail cars, new traction power substations to provide power to the tracks and a new rail car storage yard.

“Increasing the frequency of trains and enhancing reliability are the types of capital improvements we need to attract riders back to BART,” said BART Board President Janice Li. “We’re very grateful for the funding provided by the State, our partners in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Core Capacity Program is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6.8 million metric tons over 50 years.”

BART currently has the capacity to operate a maximum of 23 trains per hour in each direction, but the core capacity program aims to increase the capacity to 30 trains per hour in each direction. Replacing the existing 50-year-old train control system with a communications-based train control system will allow BART trains to safely run more closely together.

Additional rail cars will give BART the ability to run more 10-car trains during the heaviest travel periods.

The Transbay Corridor Core Capacity Program has already secured $1.17 billion through a federal grant but costs have increased in the wake of the pandemic due to supply chain challenges and inflation. BART is looking to close a remaining funding gap of about $700 million to complete the 10-year program.