CONTRA COSTA, CA — A track equipment problem disrupted Yellow Line service on BART between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette during Monday morning's commute.
BART first reported the problem at about 5:50 a.m., saying trains traveling in both the Antioch and San Francisco International Airport directions were running about 10 minutes behind schedule because of an equipment issue on the tracks.
About 10 minutes later, the agency suspended train service between the Pleasant Hill and Lafayette stations and urged riders to use alternate transportation while crews worked to resolve the problem.
BART announced that trains were once again operating between Lafayette and Pleasant Hill at about 7 a.m.
Although normal service was restored, transit officials warned passengers to expect residual delays as the system returned to its regular schedule.
The morning disruption also comes as BART prepares for additional Yellow Line delays tied to planned maintenance in Contra Costa County.
The agency has postponed rail maintenance originally planned for July until early August. Crews will perform rail "destressing" work on the Yellow Line, a process that helps reduce heat-related stress on the rails and improve long-term reliability.
To create a safe work area, BART will reduce service from two tracks to one while overnight work is underway. Construction is scheduled to begin at midnight and continue until regular train service starts the following morning.
Riders should expect delays of 20 to 25 minutes on maintenance nights.
The next phase of the project is scheduled between the North Concord and Pittsburg/Bay Point stations from Aug. 4 through Aug. 6.
BART did not immediately release additional details about Monday morning's equipment problem or its cause.
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