Bay Area/ San Francisco

Stalled BART Train Throws Red Line Commute Into Chaos

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Published on April 15, 2026
Stalled BART Train Throws Red Line Commute Into ChaosSource: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today, a disabled BART train in San Francisco brought a key stretch of the system to a halt, forcing a tow train into action, suspending Red Line service and trimming Green Line runs. The disruption pushed many commuters into juggling transfers and navigating longer trips across the peninsula and into the East Bay while BART crews worked to clear the track and riders were told to brace for delays.

Tow train called in to clear the disabled train

SFBART's message said a tow train was moving into position to remove the disabled train and that Red Line service between Richmond and Millbrae was suspended while Green Line trains were limited between Berryessa and MacArthur. The agency added that "some riders will need to transfer" as crews worked to reopen the line.

Rider guidance and alternatives

Riders are being told to expect extra travel time and plan for transfers, with BART's official channels remaining the go-to source for up-to-the-minute routing and shuttle information. The agency posts service advisories on its website and via the Official BART App, according to BART.

Why this matters for the peninsula corridor

The SFO to Millbrae corridor has seen several equipment-related interruptions in recent weeks, which amplifies the impact when a single train fails on that stretch. An earlier outage near San Bruno was reported in last Thursday's outage, underscoring recurring vulnerability on peninsula runs, per Hoodline.

What riders should do now

Passengers should expect delays into the afternoon while crews clear the disabled train and restore full service, as BART has not provided a firm restoration time. Anyone with tight connections or time-sensitive plans is advised to seek alternative routes, build in extra time, and keep a close eye on the agency's app and official alerts for the latest updates.