At the annual Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board Workshop, staff presented directors with detailed plans for an alternative service framework if a November 2026 ballot measure fails and no other operating revenue source is identified for the Oakland, California-based agency.

During the workshop, staff outlined the risks and trade-offs associated with service and non-service reductions.

Because rail has high fixed costs and low marginal savings, it is impossible to close the projected FY27 $376M deficit with service cuts and fare increases alone, said agency officials.

Gathering Data for the Report

BART staff evaluated multiple aspects of service, including routes, stations, headways, peak, evening, and weekend service, and hours of operation.

The proposed framework outlines, for the first time, specific details, including which stations would need to be closed due to insufficient operating funds and the recommended phased approach to triggering further cuts.

The plan retains as many riders as possible, while still cutting service to realize savings. System support services would need to be reduced by 40%, as the resulting loss of fare revenue would largely offset cost savings from cutting services.

After receiving feedback from Directors at the workshop, staff plans to return to the Board on February 26 with a resolution to adopt a finalized alternative service framework that would be implemented if new funding is not secured.