Versatile but problem-plagued, the last 1990s-era C2 BART car is gone
The last-ever BART C2 car was decommissioned in August 2021 at Hayward Shop. Note the headlights on the end as well as the flat-shaped front. The C2s could serve as lead car with an operator cab or as a middle car, which ushered in a new era of…
Sep 02 21September 02, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Compassion in crisis: BART worker’s quick thinking, empathy help save a life
By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer Curtis Zedd Jr., a born-and-bred Oaklander, does hard, physical work as a BART senior operations foreworker, troubleshooting problems on trains, his 6-foot-1 stature giving him a strong and commanding…
Jul 09 21July 09, 2021
Article at BART.gov
BART uses grazing goats to reduce fire danger on right-of-way property
A 700-goat herd grazes on BART property in Fremont under the watch of herder Zenobio Ordonez By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer As the Bay Area endures another hot, dry summer, BART is using goats to graze and cut firebreaks on its…
Jul 08 21July 08, 2021
Article at BART.gov
“Out and Proud” BART Directors lead virtual panel on LGBTQ issues for Pride Month
By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer More than 100 BART employees joined a noon-hour virtual Pride celebration this week, reflecting on BART’s leadership for LGBTQ equality with hope and optimism on the same day California reopened and lifted…
Jun 18 21June 18, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Elevator attendant who uses wheelchair knows firsthand the importance of accessibility
BART Senior Web Producer BART’s newest elevator attendant knows firsthand the importance of accessibility and having clean and safe elevators. Michael Stitt uses a wheelchair himself and is the first BART elevator attendant to do so. He was working a…
May 18 21May 18, 2021
Article at BART.gov
New life for old BART cars: museums, bars, Airbnb’s and more ideas for creative reuse
By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer In early June, 20 individuals and organizations will learn whether they’ve moved forward in the selection process for the eagerly anticipated repurposing of decommissioned BART train cars. And that’s when…
May 05 21May 05, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Flora and fauna for Earth Day: Walk with a wildlife biologist to see sustainability in action at BART
Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications Like a ground squirrel coming out of hibernation, the Bay Area is emerging from the coronavirus pandemic with the opportunity to look at our lives – including how we move around –…
Apr 21 21April 21, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Mother in Hawaii reunites with homeless son with help from BART Police
Megan Nota* provided this selfie taken in March 2021 with her son in the background By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer A mother has been reuinted with her 20-year-old son who had been homeless on the streets of San Francisco, thanks to BART…
Apr 14 21April 14, 2021
Article at BART.gov
“Not One More Girl”: Youth-led campaign aims to combat harassment on transit and everywhere
Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications Rexy* was still a child who just happened to be wearing rainbow-colored clothing when she first experienced harassment on public transportation. “I wasn’t even out to myself” at…
Apr 02 21April 02, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Short Edition story dispensers give BART riders the joy of reading
A customer at Café Zoetrope uses a Short Story Dispenser; image by Olivier Alexandre/Short Edition By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer For sale, baby shoes, never worn. That six-word sentence, often mistakenly attributed to Ernest Hemingway,…
Mar 24 21March 24, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Grant will fund strategy to attract businesses that create jobs near BART
Barbers Mark DeGuzman, foreground, and Romel Diaz at their Hayward shop Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications As a new post-pandemic jobs landscape begins to take shape, BART will use a $350,000 federal grant to…
Mar 12 21March 12, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Engineers Week: Meet some people and projects building a better BART
Workers guide a section of track into place as it hangs from a crane by Richmond Station. Photo by Maria J. Avila By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer Across the 131 miles of track and 50 stations of the BART system, Professional Engineers are…
Feb 24 21February 24, 2021
Article at BART.gov
Match made on BART: One couple’s Valentine’s Day love story
By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer If not for a fateful BART ride, Armin Samii and Marylee Williams wouldn’t be celebrating their five-year-long romance this Valentine’s Day. Back in 2016, he was staying late in San Francisco for a work event…
Feb 12 21February 12, 2021
Article at BART.gov
BART Ambassadors mark one-year anniversary: "We see a lot of things"
Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications The word “ambassador” derives from the Latin ambactus, which dates to the 14th century and means servant or minister. BART Police’s Transit Ambassadors mark their first…
Feb 10 21February 10, 2021
Article at BART.gov
BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez on how to build a progressive policing presence
Chief Alvarez regularly walks trains to interact with passengers. Shown here on Feb. 1, 2021; note the poster at left behind blue seats advertising the text-BPD line. Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications Ed Alvarez…
Feb 05 21February 05, 2021
Article at BART.gov
BART officer helps mother find her homeless daughter: “People aren’t mentally ill from 9-to-5”
BART PD Officer Eric Hofstein delivers a care package to a woman whose life he helped save BART Senior Web Producer The care package had a childhood Bible engraved with her name, her favorite Lord of the Rings books, and a photo album with pictures…
Feb 02 21February 02, 2021
Article at BART.gov
After successful pilot, denser filters will be added throughout BART’s fleet of train cars
Denser air filters like the one shown above are capable of blocking more particles Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications After a successful pilot, BART will install denser filters throughout its fleet of train cars,…
Jan 26 21January 26, 2021
Article at BART.gov
BART PD employees donate to jacket, glove drive to warm hearts and hands of day laborers
Rudy Lara, center, of the Multicultural Institute, talks with day laborers Story by MELISSA JORDAN | Photos by MARIA J. AVILA BART Communications Day laborers, whose work helps power essential construction around the Bay Area, are often…
Dec 16 20December 16, 2020
Article at BART.gov
Help at the holidays: BART toy drive benefits Contra Costa Family Justice Center
Update: On Thursday, December 17, 2020, Contra Costa Family Justice Center Executive Director Susun Kim thanked BART employees who donated more than 1,000 gifts and more than $1,000 in gift cards in this year's holiday toy drive. “Your gifts…
Nov 30 20November 30, 2020
Article at BART.gov
Praise for Station Agents who go the extra mile to help riders
BART Station Agent Dee Malabuyo pictured at Downtown Berkeley Station By MELISSA JORDAN BART Senior Web Producer Going above and beyond to help riders is nothing new for BART Station Agent Dee Malabuyo. Malabuyo was recognized recently with a…
Nov 16 20November 16, 2020
Article at BART.gov