As it has promised for years, Bay Area Rapid Transit today opens the Warm Springs/South Fremont extension of the regional rail transit system. The first train departs at the station at 5:48 am, and the first train arrives at 7:04 am.
"Starting Saturday, BART riders will be able to climb aboard a train and travel on an extension that will take them farther south than the rail system has ever gone," reports Michael Cabanatuan.
The BART system will finally open a new 5.4-mile extension to the long-awaited Warm Springs station—now the 46th station in the regional rail transit system.
The remainder of the article provides a sort-of urban design review of the new station. Spoiler: there's not much to see yet at this "light-industrial backwater." But, according to Cabanatuan, "BART’s arrival comes at a fortuitous time. All that vacant land surrounding the station is being transformed into the Fremont Innovation District, a plan under way to bring to the area more than 20,000 jobs and 3,000 housing units." Another extension, from Warm Springs into San Jose and the heart of the Silicon Valley, is not far behind.
FULL STORY: BART extension to South Fremont set to open
Passage of 12-Cent Gas Tax Hike Allows BART to Reduce Service Cuts
The gas tax bill couldn't pass soon enough for the Bay Area's metro system. Service cuts and fare increases, scheduled for approval April 13, were greatly reduced due to an unexpected $16 million BART will receive, and the bill has yet to be signed!
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
How Did Transit Projects Fare in 2024?
A comprehensive list of public transit expansions and new lines that opened in 2024, and projections for 2025.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service