BART Announces Major Service Cuts, Fare Increases in Face of $376M Deficit

With no new funding sources on the horizon, California’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board adopted an alternative service plan aimed at reducing the agency’s $376 million deficit.

The plan includes significant service cuts, station closures, the layoff of 1,200 employees, and fare increases. “BART says it has already made budget cuts across all departments and instituted a series of cost controls, including rightsizing service, labor savings, operational efficiencies and reducing BART’s office space footprint.”

The plan, which would take effect in January 2027 with no new funding sources, would maintain continuous service on just three lines, reduce frequency to every 30 minutes, reduce overall train hours by 63 percent, and raise fares and parking fees by 30 percent, among other changes. The agency could also close up to 15 stations and increase fares again in July 2027.

In reference to a recent loan from the state, “BART says it can’t use state loan money to avoid station closures and service cuts if no new revenue becomes available. Without new revenue, there is no way to pay the loan back.”