A first of its kind partnership with The Salvation Army will provide donated funds and paper BART tickets from riders to help pay for supportive services for those who seek shelter inside BART stations and on-board trains.
BART
2 min to read
A first of its kind partnership with The Salvation Army will provide donated funds and paper BART tickets from riders to help pay for supportive services for those who seek shelter inside BART stations and on-board trains.
BART
BART is teaming up with The Salvation Army during its seasonal Red Kettle Campaign with a new “Partners for Change” initiative inside BART stations systemwide. The first of its kind partnership will provide donated funds and paper BART tickets from BART riders to help pay for supportive services for those who seek shelter inside BART stations and on-board trains.
The partnership, which launched December 3, coincides with the Army’s kettle campaign timeframe, which runs from November 22 through December 24.
“Homelessness has become a humanitarian crisis, and nowhere else is the situation as poignant as it is in San Francisco," said Major Darren Norton, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army’s Golden State Division, based in San Francisco.
How it Works The Salvation Army will position their iconic Red Kettles in the free area of BART stations during the holiday season and collect donations from BART riders. BART will post signs inside stations near the vending machines that give change to encourage riders to donate to help the unhoused who seek shelter at BART. Riders can also donate their paper BART tickets with remaining fare, which will be refunded for cash value. BART has been phasing out paper tickets in favor of Clipper cards.
The Red Kettle Campaign started in San Francisco in 1891 and is in its 129th year and is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind. It raised $142.7 million nationwide during the 2018 campaign.
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services.
All donated funds will be used locally. For example, donations collected in San Francisco will go towards services and resources in San Francisco, while donations collected in the East Bay will stay in the East Bay.
The Salvation Army will then work together with BART’s Crisis Intervention Coordinator and homeless outreach teams on distribution of funds for supportive housing, substance abuse treatment, case management, blankets, socks, care packages and other services for unhoused individuals spending their time at BART.
To donate online, The Salvation Army has set up BARTRedKettles.org. Donations will be tracked to determine how much money is raised in the BART system and at each station. BART and The Salvation Army are seeking corporate matches as part of the campaign.
For every dollar donated to The Salvation Army, 82 cents is used to support those services in facilities throughout the Bay Area. For more information go to www.sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org or www.gosalarmy.org.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
