The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is getting ready for a decisive meeting that could ensure the modernization of the BART system within the county. Yesterday, they will assess a critical proposal to fund BART with $10.3 million, aiming to upgrade aging fare gates at five key stations. The move is part of a wider $90 million project to overhaul fare gates across the BART network.
Previous contributions towards this system-wide initiative have already been secured from transportation authorities in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties. In San Mateo County, the BART is looking to secure a grant from the San Mateo County Transit Agency's Measure W Regional Transit Connection Program, which would cover the cost of work at stations in Colma, Daly City, Millbrae, San Bruno, and South San Francisco. However, a response to the grant application is not expected to arrive until the summer, while a decision from BART on the contractor must be made by March 31.
When the grant fails or runs out, the county would look to local cities for repayment solutions. Details of these prospective plans will likely come to light following decisions made by BART and the county supervisors in the coming days. The San Mateo County government website notes that the terms of this financial support would include commitments from BART for the maintenance of security gates post-installation and collaboration with local jurisdictions on multiple aspects, including fare enforcement and improvements to station maintenance and retail operations.
