On Thursday, Bay Area Rapid Transit will receive a report which could result in the closure of 15 BART stations over the next 2-years should voters not approve a sales tax measure.
Under the plan which will be presented via a workshop at the Board Meeting, immediate closures would impact the Tri-Valley as the Blue Line which runs between Dublin-Pleasanton and Daly City by January 2027. Meanwhile, North Concord, Orinda, Pittsburg Center Stations would also close.
Within phase 2 which is estimated around July 2027, East Contra Costa County gets hit hard with station closures in Antioch, Pittsburg/Bay Point and will have to travel to Concord as its closest station – end of the line for the Yellow Line service. BART will see a 70% reduction in train hours and a 25% reduction in system miles–Stop service on most system segments opened after 1976
Its also unclear what the impact will be for local transit agencies in East Contra Costa – such as Tri Delta Transit and what impacts it will have on the bus service delivery. Or, what will occur in BART parking lots during time of closures. In fact, several elected officials in East Contra Costa County called the plan “bull—t” and called it strong-arm tactics–they, however, would not go on the record.
On Thursday, the presentation will focus on “if” voters turn down a sales tax measure on the upcoming November 2026 ballot – aimed at raising $1 billion in new revenue for BART and transit agencies. Meanwhile, BART says that since 2020, analysis by staff has shown BART cannot resolve structural deficit through service cuts alone. However, BART’s Board for years ignored warnings by former director Debora Allen who sounded the alarm on the fiscal cliff– rather than addressing the concerns, she was ridiculed by her fellow board members and BART staff.
According to a release issued by Connect Bay Area – it claims a tax failure would set BART back 50-years to 1976 levels, including the 15 station closures, cutting train service hours by 70% and cutting 25% of the miles off the system.
According to the presentation,
“Measure Fails” Budget Phasing Strategy
Phase 1 – In January 2027:
- 63% train hours cut and 10 station closures (20% of stations)
- 30% fare increase
- Target $30M of (half-year) reductions in fleet/non-fleet maintenance, police, and system support
- Balance remainder of FY27 with one-time resources and financial deferrals
- Assess: ridership/revenue impacts; performance of system support; impacts/risks of asset closures; and determine if Phase 2 can be safely implemented
Phase 2 – If feasible, in FY28 (July 2027 service change):
- Cumulative 70% train hours cut, 15 station closures (30% of stations), and segment closures (32 miles or 25% of system length)
- Cumulative 50% fare increase
- Target over $130M of cumulative budget reductions in fleet/non-fleet maintenance, cleaning, police, and system support
- Defer remaining capital allocations
- Based on observed conditions of closed system segments, study options and tradeoffs for stopping train service
Phase 3 – When required:
- If determined BART can’t safely or legally operate with available resources, stop passenger service
- Use existing District tax revenues to secure system assets
- Work to determine system’s future
Station Closures
BART says it will make a ridership-based decision and the 10 lowest ridership stations will be recommended for closure noting the operating cost saving is greater than fare revenue reduction – impacting 12% of ridership
10 lowest ridership stations:*
- Castro Valley
- North Concord
- Oakland International Airport
- Orinda
- Pittsburg Center
- San Bruno
- South Hayward
- South San Francisco
- Warm Springs
- West Dublin/Pleasanton
In terms of station closures, in an email last week, Director Mark Foley says he plans to amend the motion to require that any decision about specific station closures be made by the board be made after November 2026
BART Meeting
Thursday, February 12
9:00 am
2150 Webster Street, 1st Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
For BART Meeting Documents + Presentation: Click Here
BART Board of Directors includes:
- Matt Rinn – [email protected]
- Mark Foley – [email protected]
- Barnali Ghosh – [email protected]
- Robert Raburn – [email protected]
- Melissa Hernandez – [email protected]
- Liz Ames – [email protected]
- Victor Flores – [email protected]
- Janice Li – [email protected]
- Edward Wright – [email protected]
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- Feb 6, 2026 – BART Report: New Service Cuts Plan Would Set BART Back 50 Years if Connect Bay Area Doesn’t Pass
- Jan 29, 2026 – Crime on BART Drops 41% in 2025
