Opinion: How I became a public transit rider

Support the transit tax on the Nov. 3 ballot; BART provides essential mobility to young people

by Sophie Luo, Mosaic October 24, 2026October 23, 2026

BART train doors open to load and unload passengers at Warm Springs BART Station in Fremont, Calif on Oct. 2, 2026. As BART faces a $370 million deficit, a Fremont teen explores how transit fosters independence and why safer, more accessible service matters. (Sophie Luo/Mosaic via Bay City News)

BART and other Bay Area transit agencies face a budget deficit of $370 million. This November, tax Measure RTM on Bay Area ballots could help BART avoid having to make significant service cuts and shutdowns.

In August, BART averaged over 500,000 weekly riders. For young people among these tens of thousands of riders that the agency serves daily, it’s essential to our mobility when we don’t have better options.

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