My vision for a more environmentally & fiscally sustainable BART

By Rebecca Saltzman

My overarching vision is to make BART environmentally and fiscally sustainable, and to make the agency better serve current riders and attract new riders. I plan to help the agency meet these goals by focusing on the following:

A Modern BART System for a Modern Bay Area

BART has a $7.5 billion unfunded maintenance liability. The system is more than 40 years old, and the trains, tracks, computer systems, escalators, elevators, and stations must be replaced or repaired. Doing so will allow BART trains to continue to arrive on time, and could create thousands of good paying jobs for our local workforce.

A Better Partnership with Other Transit Agencies

BART must do a better job of working with other transit agencies to ensure seamless, efficient trips for passengers who rely on BART and buses get around. BART and AC Transit should work together on a combined fare for BART and bus riders or a larger discount to encourage passengers to use both systems. BART parking lots are all filled to capacity and BART needs more passengers to arrive by bus, biking, and walking.

A Focus on Transit-Oriented Development

To reduce car travel to BART stations and improve safety at stations, BART should continue its transit-oriented development projects by working with cities to build more housing, retail, and/or office space at and around BART stations.

Late Night BART Service

BART should run later on Friday and Saturday nights. Businesses that are open late would benefit from the extra revenue. Both workers and people enjoying entertainment should have the option to take BART home late at night instead of driving.

Open Government & Public Participation

BART should be more transparent and accessible. It is important for BART to reach out to engage all communities that are impacted by BART decisions. People need to know about pending decisions facing the BART Board well in advance so they can make their voices heard and impact policy. I will work to make BART meetings more accessible by pushing for evening board meetings. I will work to increase outreach about meetings and pending decisions by increasing advertising on BART cars and at stations, and by reaching out to community groups.