Facing an impending financial precipice, BART has managed to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026, thus ensuring the Bay Area's key public transport system avoids service cuts for one more revolution around the sun. The BART Board of Directors made this move by earmarking the final $318 million from emergency state and regional funds to subsidize train operations and support deficit-reducing strategies like a strategic hiring freeze. According to a report by BART, the agency also intends to implement a fare increase of 6.2% starting January 1, 2026, to help plug a projected $35 million gap in the budget.
Ridership is expected to climb thanks to initiatives like Clipper BayPass, which encourages transit through company-sponsored unlimited travel, and the introduction of new fare gates. The FY26 budget forecasts a 4% boost in paid trips, enhancing BART's allure with promises of clean, safe, and frequent service, especially as commuters return to offices and seek alternatives to weekend and nighttime driving. "Our riders are noticing the improvements we have made to the overall BART experience, resulting in the highest satisfaction rates in ten years," BART Board President Mark Foley told BART. He emphasizes strategic cutbacks, showing stakeholders that BART reduces costs and upholds a commitment to quality service during escalating traffic congestion.
Maintaining a keen eye on the future, BART has avoided adding new positions, opting to freeze many existing ones. Despite these austerity measures, BART authorities assure that this will not negatively impact the quality or safety of BART services. The operating budget of $1.2 billion will continue to fund the current service plan without any cuts this fiscal year, with adjustments only slated to improve coordination with other transit systems like Caltrain and Wheels Bus service.
On the other side of the ledger, the $1.1 billion capital budget focuses on long-term investments, with 98% of the capital outlay allocated to the system's refurbishment and the enhancement of service capacity. Projects bankrolled by voter-approved Measure RR and other sources include upgrading the train control system, replacing worn-out traction power setups, and procuring new Fleet of the Future rail cars.
