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BART Welcomes Returning Riders with a Variety of Improvements

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More and more people are returning to BART, with a host of improvements waiting for them when they get back on board.

Riders returning to BART will enjoy a variety of improvements made as part of BART’s Welcome Back Plan. Some of these will be easy to spot, but many of them – like air filters dense enough to remove virus particles – are behind-the-scenes changes which make travel by BART safer or more convenient.

One of the most important changes from the last year is BART’s return to near-regular service. Monday through Saturday, BART is back to pre-pandemic service frequency with trains running until midnight. They have also added new trips on Saturdays to reduce wait times. Currently, BART closes at 9pm on Sundays, but a midnight closure will return on February 20.

Here are some other changes which benefit BART riders:

  • The air in BART cars is replaced every 70 seconds and cleaned with upgraded air filters.
  • iPhone and Android users can now use their phone or Apple Watch at the fare gates to pay for BART. Riders can immediately load funds to their Clipper card when using Clipper on their phone.
  • An increased number of safety staff, including BART Ambassadors and BART Police, are monitoring activity on trains and handing out masks to anyone not already wearing one. In case of emergency, riders can now text BART Police at 510-200-0992, call them at 510-464-7000, or report an issue using the free BART Watch app.
  • Many BART parking lots have available spaces, and riders can pay daily parking fees with the official BART app.
  • While bikes are allowed on all BART trains, you can also Secure Your Cycle at the BART station in an electronic bike locker with a free BikeLink card from 511 Contra Costa.
  • BART service was extended into Santa Clara County with the opening of two new stations: Berryessa/North San Jose and Milpitas.
  • BART is upgrading and reopening restrooms that have been closed at some stations.

For information on BART schedules, parking, or improvements, visit the BART website.

If you’re thinking of getting back on BART, you might be eligible for $50 in Clipper funds. Pledge to ride BART at least one day a week in place of a drive-alone trip and you could be eligible for the Jumpstart Your BART incentive. Learn more.

Transit Service Changes: Status as of March 26

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For additional information, click the name of any transit agency name to visit their service updates page.
For transit service updates for the larger Bay Area, visit 511.org.

BART: Reduced Service
BART is providing service Monday-Friday from 5am-9pm. Regular weekday train frequency will remain the same. All riders must be in the system by 8:45pm to have a guaranteed ride to their destination. Starting Saturday March 28, Saturday and Sunday service will be from 8am-9pm (currently Saturday service is 6am-midnight and Sunday is 8am-midnight). Current weekend train frequency will remain the same.

AC Transit: Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
AC Transit has implemented rear-door boarding on buses with multiple doors. Fare payment is not required until further notice. Passengers requiring ADA ramps, utilizing mobility devices or need priority seating may continue to use the front door for boarding. Wheelchair riders may be allowed onboard without securements by bus operators.

County Connection: No Fare Collection
County Connection has temporarily suspended fare collection on all routes including paratransit.

WestCAT: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
WestCAT isn’t collecting fares on any service until further notice and is suspending all mail orders. The JX Route has been suspended. WestCAT Lynx will operate on a holiday schedule only. The Early Bird Express will continue to operate. All passengers able to board & exit through the rear door should do so.

Tri Delta Transit: Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
Passengers will board fixed-route buses through the rear door unless they require the wheelchair ramp. Additionally, no fares will be collected on any Tri Delta Transit buses.

Richmond Ferry: Suspended Service
The Richmond Ferry will not operate until further notice.

Capitol Corridor: Reduced Service
Train frequency has been reduced to five round trips daily between Sacramento and Oakland, with four of these round trips continuing to San Jose. This schedule will be the same all seven days of the week, meaning no weekend/holiday schedule differences.

Wheels Bus: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
Fare collection has been suspended and passengers without disabilities are to use the rear door for boarding and exiting. Service frequencies have been reduced on Rapid Routes 10R and 30R. Operation of Routes 2, 20X, and 580X has been suspended. Dial-a-Ride Paratransit, Para-taxi and GoDublin are still available.

Altamont Corridor Express: Reduced Service, Ticketing Changes
Until further notice, ACE has suspended Saturday service as well as the ACE 07 and ACE 10, and will be running shorter trains. ACE has suspended in-person ticket sales at the Lathrop/Manteca and Tracy stations and is encouraging passengers to use mobile ticketing when boarding. In-person ticket sales will still be available during mornings at the Pleasanton station.

Golden Gate Transit: Reduced Service
Service adjustments have been made, including the cancellation of some southbound and northbound commute trips until further notice. Additional cancellations may be necessary on a daily basis.

Fairfield and Suisun Transit: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
FAST local service and SolanoExpress commuter service have been reduced. Details of changes are available on FAST’s Service Advisory page. No fares are being collected and passengers are being asked to board and exit through the rear door if able to.

Solano Transit: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
SolTrans Local, SolanoExpress, and Paratransit service are operating on a Saturday service schedule on weekdays until further notice. Passengers should board using the center doors. Those who need assistance from the ramp may board at the front doors. If possible, the use of Token Transit is recommended for easy visual fare adherence boarding (so that money does not need to be handled). SolTrans will not collect fares on Local, SolanoExpress and Paratransit service.