Bay Area commuters should brace for minor disruptions as BART launches the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at South Hayward Station starting on Friday. The Bay Area Rapid Transit authority has announced that the upgrade is part of a system-wide effort to replace fare gates across all 50 BART stations by the end of 2025. The process at South Hayward is expected to span roughly two weeks.
During the installation period, travelers must navigate a construction barrier enclosing the existing gate array. To facilitate station access, BART plans to temporarily provide two accessible gates next to the Station Agent Booth. In a move to avoid splitting focus, they have arranged for the gate to the right, when facing the booth from the station's unpaid area, to serve as the entry while the gate on the left will act as the exit. Enhancements for riders with visual impairments include carpeting at the entrance of each temporary gate for easier identification.
While officials assure that train services will remain uninterrupted, patrons might experience slight delays during peak hours due to reduced gate availability. The South Hayward Station's upgrade is just the latest in BART’s ongoing fare gate overhaul, with 15 other stations already boasting the new system.
