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Cover image for The first BART Board meeting of 2026 delivered a snapshot of an agency riding momentum on ridership while staring down an existential funding deadline. Directors unanimously approved two significant contracts—a one-year police union extension and a $13.2 million sole-source procurement to replace aging train control equipment on the airport line—while staff flagged February as crunch time for securing state and regional dollars to stave off service cuts.

Board of Directors - Jan 08, 2026 - Meeting

Board of Directors • Bay Area Rapid Transit DistrictJanuary 8, 2026

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The first BART Board meeting of 2026 delivered a snapshot of an agency riding momentum on ridership while staring down an existential funding deadline. Directors unanimously approved two significant contracts—a one-year police union extension and a $13.2 million sole-source procurement to replace aging train control equipment on the airport line—while staff flagged February as crunch time for securing state and regional dollars to stave off service cuts.

  • Ridership continues to outpace projections: December ended 6% above budget and 13.5% higher than a year ago.

  • Clipper 2 rollout hits early turbulence: Software and customer service issues persist after Dec. 10 launch; staff working with MTC and Cubic on fixes.

  • Fiscal cliff looms: General Manager warns Feb. 12 workshop marks "the most significant date in BART's history" regarding funding.

  • $13.2M train control contract advances: Board approves sole-source deal with BNC Transit to replace obsolete Geoloc ATO subsystem before full CBTC modernization.

  • Police contract extended one year: BPOA agreement aligned with other unions to preserve budget flexibility.

  • OIG recovers $1.7M: Inspector General reports settlements and ongoing audits, including a BSV2 transparency review.

  • New progressive policing leader introduced: Deputy Chief Antwinette Turner to head Community Engagement Bureau.

BART's ridership recovery remains ahead of schedule, but the agency's new fare-payment system is showing early strain.

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The first BART Board meeting of 2026 delivered a snapshot of an agency riding momentum on ridership while staring down an existential funding deadline. Directors unanimously approved two significant contracts—a one-year police union extension and a $13.2 million sole-source procurement to replace aging train control equipment on the airport line—while staff flagged February as crunch time for securing state and regional dollars to stave off service cuts. | Board of Directors | Locunity