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Critical Asset Patrol team aims to boost BART Police presence in most critical areas
Train patrols just one aspect of multi-faceted efforts to ensure safety By Melissa Jordan BART Senior Web ProducerIn a series of ongoing improvements to the BART Police Department, one change of keen interest to the public has been an increased BART Police presence on trains.That effort received a huge boost
Help at the holidays: BART toy drive benefits Contra Costa Family Justice Center
Update: On Thursday, December 17, 2020, Contra Costa Family Justice Center Executive Director Susun Kim thanked BART employees who donated more than 1,000 gifts and more than $1,000 in gift cards in this year's holiday toy drive. “Your gifts representing your love and care mean so much to our clients and
BART partners on telephone town hall on future of West Contra Costa County transportation
BART is partnering with other transit agencies on the West Contra Costa County High-Capacity Transit Study. Part of the study involves a telephone town hall on Nov. 12. West Contra Costa County residents have long been asking for more transit options and enhancements to existing services. Now, the study is
BART PD holds Black Friday safety events at Bay Fair and West Oakland stations
On Friday, Nov. 25 -- the busy Black Friday shopping day -- BART Police and partners will hold safety awareness events at Bay Fair and West Oakland stations. At Bay Fair, tables will be set up with safety information, focusing on particular crimes that tend to increase during the holiday season, when
BART will run Saturday service for the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 1/16
BART will run a Saturday schedule on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16, 2023. Saturday service means BART will open at 6am and close at midnight. BART will also run all five lines until from opening until around 9pm, and three-line service from around 9pm until end of service. For the most up-to
BART PD connects young gunshot survivor to SF pro soccer team for a night to remember
By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer A dream team will make dreams come true Saturday night, July 15, for a group of young Oakland soccer players and their families. It began with the story of Isai Catalan, a bystander wounded in a drive-by shooting on the day of his 9 th birthday as he was out for a
New exhibit at 16th St. Mission BART Plaza features youth posters
By Hong HoBART Marketing Intern A new exhibit has opened at Public Artspace at Plaza 16, outside the 16th St. Mission BART Station, featuring posters made by young people around the themes of peace and non-violence. Public Artspace at Plaza 16 consists of four plexiglass-fronted bays, showcasing the work of
Statement from BART General Manager about man cited for eating on the platform
BART General Manager Bob Powers issued the following statement: "Moving 415,000 riders each day comes with complexities and there are laws in place to keep our system safe, welcoming, and clean. I’ve seen the video of the incident involving a man eating on our platform and our police response. Eating in the
BART PD employees donate to jacket, glove drive to warm hearts and hands of day laborers
Rudy Lara, center, of the Multicultural Institute, talks with day laborers Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILABART CommunicationsDay laborers, whose work helps power essential construction around the Bay Area, are often transit-dependent and rely on BART to get to their jobs.BART Police
BART's 2023 Sustainability Report highlights agency's innovation and improvements to rider experience
BART continued in 2023 to pioneer sustainability initiatives aimed at enhancing rider experience while prioritizing environmental stewardship. With a legacy rooted in forward-thinking transportation solutions, BART reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon footprints and advancing sustainable transit practices. The accomplishments of 2023 are detailed in the annual Sustainability Report, officially presented to the Board of Directors on July 11, 2024.
"BART’s sustainability efforts were all about innovation in 2023," said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. "We are dedicated to integrating creative solutions that not only improve the rider experience, our immediate priority, but also emphasize long-term sustainability."
Established over fifty years ago with a vision to alleviate regional traffic congestion through eco-friendly transit options, BART has continually evolved its practices to reflect contemporary environmental standards. Notably, engineers initially opted to power trains with electricity rather than fuel, a decision that laid the foundation for ongoing sustainability achievements.
In a poignant farewell to its legacy fleet, BART hosted a memorable "retirement party" in February 2024, marking the culmination of efforts to retire older vehicles. Thousands of attendees gathered to bid farewell to the trains that had served millions of passengers over the years. The decommissioned cars are being repurposed for various projects, including a BART car short-term rental in the Sierra Nevada and a youth bike shop and clubhouse in East Oakland, demonstrating BART’s commitment to sustainability beyond transit operations.
The introduction of new, energy-efficient train cars has furthered BART's sustainability goals, boasting a 7% reduction in energy consumption compared to previous train car models. By running shorter trains during off-peak hours, BART has achieved significant energy savings. 88% of BART’s electricity comes from greenhouse gas-free sources like solar, wind, and hydropower.
"Our shorter trains not only save energy and reduce costs but also enhance safety and efficiency in maintenance," BART General Manager Bob Powers added. "These innovations underscore our holistic approach to sustainability across all facets of our operations."
In addition to transit improvements, BART expanded its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program, constructing 531 new housing units near BART stations. Projects like the Gateway at Millbrae Station and the Upper Yard at Balboa Park Station not only address regional housing needs but also promote sustainable urban development and economic revitalization.
Highlighting unique environmental initiatives, BART's Sheep and Goat Fire Mitigation program has grown substantially, utilizing over 500 grazers to mitigate fire risks across its properties. Meanwhile, the Falconry-Based Nuisance Bird Control program, now implemented at 12 stations, effectively manages pigeon populations through pesticide-free methods.
For more information on BART's sustainability initiatives and ongoing projects, visit bart.gov/sustainability.