BART looks to federal aid to balance current budget, but foresees difficult years ahead

Federal relief funding is expected to cover BART’s previously projected budget deficit, enabling the transit agency to avoid having to lay off staff or reduce service, the agency’s budget officials said.

The agency is expected to receive in excess of $55 million from the federal stimulus bill passed in December, which will make up for BART’s loss of roughly 90 percent of its ridership revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.