San Francisco’s BART Awarded $545 Loan for Upgraded Rail Cars

The agency plans to modernize its fleet with more efficient rail cars equipped with new safety features.

1 minute read

November 13, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White BART public transit train at Coliseum station in Oakland, California.

Sundry Photography / Adobe Stock

The San Francisco Bay Area’s Rapid Transit District (BART) was awarded a $545 million loan to by the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade its rail cars as part of the agency’s effort to modernize its fleet.

According to an article from Golden Gate Media, “The new rail cars boast advanced safety and accessibility features, including LED screens, digital cameras for enhanced security, and a third door to streamline entry and exit. The upgrade is expected to save BART up to $394 million, thanks to a faster production schedule and revised delivery rates completed in September, according to DOT officials.”

The article notes that the new, U.S.-produced cars will feature lightweight aluminum construction, white roofs that deflect heat, and regenerative braking that puts energy back into BART’s energy grid.

Sunday, November 10, 2024 in Golden Gate Media

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