BART Board Approves People-Mover to Oakland Airport

BART directors approved a measure today that would provide a driverless train system for passengers traveling between Oakland Airport and BART. Construction on the $440 million contract will begin next Summer, with full operation of the people-mover by 2013. Currently AirBART provides shuttle bus service between Oakland's MacArthur Station and Oakland Airport.

KGO: BART Strike Averted

6:50 PM: KGO news is reporting the BART strike planned for Monday has been averted. Trains will operate as normal.

BART Strike Expected Monday

BART service to SFO, and AirBART bus service to Oakland Airport among many disruptions expected next week

Late Thursday, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 155, which represents BART train operators and station agents, announced a BART strike will go forward at the close of the business Sunday night. The decision comes after several weeks of failed negotiations on a new contract.

Bay Area residents who rely on BART should start making alternate travel plans for next week.

BART Strike Transit Alternatives (From KGO 7 news)

511.org Trip Planner

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SFO Riders Hardest Hit By BART Fare Increase

The recently approved BART rate hike takes effect July 1, and that means huge increases for BART riders to SFO. Systemwide, fares will spike 6.1%, an average of .30 cents per ride. But passengers using BART to SFO will be hardest hit. The one-way SFO premium charge currently set at $2.50 will jump to $4.00, that's in addition to the base fare. So come July 1, BART riders can expect to pay about $8.10 from downtown San Francisco to the airport.

See also: SFO officials trying to find ways around BART surcharge (SF Gate)

BART to increase service & fees systemwide

(repost)
BART has approved a systemwide fare hike and added service effective January 1st. Highlights include:
-Earlier service from Downtown San Francisco to SFO airport.
(First train will arrive SFO 5:15am, instead of current 5:31am)
-Added service after 7pm Monday-Saturday and all day Sunday
-Fare increases of .10-.30 cents a ride
(Example: Embarcadero Station to SFO was $5.15, now increases to $5.35 each way)

New SF TransBay Terminal proposal: Awesome!

Stretching beyond the newly constructed 605 foot tall One Rincon tower, sweeping past the 853 foot TransAmerica pyramid, and about the size of the Empire State Building - the new San Francisco TransBay terminal. At least that's what the Final Jury verdict voted for.

Pelli Clarke Pelli and Hines Architects were chosen as the winning design, which when completed would include massive public space and a 24-hour vitality missing from the existing space. The glass design will allow for natural lighting and energy conservation throughout. Residential and retail will occupy space above the multitude of regional transit agencies, and eventually California's high-speed rail system.

We're talking on the order of Grand Central Station folks!
Click here for more details on the planned design and to submit public comments.

BART considering airport parking for SFO

Last week, BART's Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval to a plan to offer long-term parking for travelers at four stations near San Francisco International. BART officials still need approval from federal officials to implement the plan.

The cost would be $6 a day, cheaper than most other parking lots at or near the airport. But travelers would have to pay extra for the trip required from the BART station to the airport. For example; drive to the Millbrae BART station, park your car and hop on BART to SFO.

The plan is to offer 500 spaces — 100 each at the Colma, South San Francisco and San Bruno stations, and 200 at the Millbrae Station. But the number may vary month to month. The four stations are on "The Peninsula" extension of the line that reaches the airport. If the spaces reserved for airport parking aren't occupied by 10 a.m., they will be available for general use. BART hopes that the program would improve the line's ridership, which has fallen short of original estimates.