BART board passes drastic contingency plan to close $367M deficit, slash service by 70%

BART’s Board of Directors has approved a sweeping contingency plan that would slash service, close stations and raise fares if the transit agency fails to secure new funding to close a projected $367 million deficit next fiscal year.

In a statement Thursday, BART officials said the agency’s board adopted the Alternative Service Plan that outlines how BART would balance its budgets for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 if no new revenue becomes available. It faces a structural deficit of $350 million to $400 million because ridership remains about 50% below pre-pandemic levels, and BART’s funding model relies heavily on passenger fares.