Fares Would Spike 50% And 15 BART Stations Could Close Under Plan Approved By Board

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The BART Board of Directors approved a contingency plan that would dramatically cut service and raise fees and fares if new revenue is not approved by voters in a November ballot measure. The measure would increase the sales tax in the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Mateo by a half-cent, and in San Francisco by one cent for 14 years, which is expected to generate an additional $980 million to $1 billion per year.

Liz Ames, who represents BART District 6 (covering stations in Fremont, Union City, Newark, and the southern part of Hayward), was the sole member of the nine-person board to vote against the contingency plan.

The plan comes in response to a deficit of $370 million for the next fiscal year and an ongoing structural deficit of $350 to $400 million. This deficit is caused largely because ridership is down 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels, the agency said in a news release.

If the new sales tax is not approved in November, the approved alternative service plan would implement a number of changes in January 2027:

• Service would be limited to the Yellow, Blue, and Orange lines, with limited peak direction service on the Red and Green lines. The changes represent an overall 63% reduction in overall train hours.
• 30-minute frequencies on each line.
• Closing at 9 p.m. seven days a week.
• Fares and parking fees would increase by 30%.
• Approximately $30 million in savings over 6 months from non-service budget reductions to fleet and non-fleet maintenance, police, cleaning, and administrative support functions.
• Deferrals of priority capital allocations and retiree medical contributions.

“There are no alternatives other than draconian alternatives … That’s a gut punch,” Board Member Robert Raburn said before the vote.

Following the January 2027 cuts, staff will assess ridership and revenue impacts to determine whether further cuts are necessary.

BART said the following changes could take place in July 2027 if deemed “feasibly safe”:

• Target over $175 million in annual cost reductions through a cumulative 70% reduction in service hours.
• Close up to 15 stations and/or up to 25% of system track miles. Unlike an earlier plan, no specific stations were named.
• Increase fares and parking fees up to a cumulative 50%, raising the average estimated fare to $7.26.
• Target annual operating expense savings of more than a cumulative $130 million from non-service budget reductions.
• Continue to defer retiree health contributions and most remaining capital allocations.

BART officials said passenger service will be suspended if it is determined that it cannot safely or legally operate with available resources. The Board woul then use district tax revenues to secure and preserve system assets.

"While no director is happy with (this plan) … But we’re doing our responsibility to plan ahead,” Board Member Mark Foley said.

SEE ALSO:

• 'Not Acceptable': BART Board President, Ex-Dublin Mayor Slams Proposed Station Closures
• BART IDs 10 Stations For Possible Closure In 2026