Bay Area

BART to Install New Fare Gates Systemwide by 2026

If you’re catching a BART train a few years from now and something looks a little different, it’s probably just the station’s new fare gates catching your eye. BART’s Board of Directors recommended at its March 23 meeting that it move ahead with purchasing the $90 million Next Generation Fare Gate project, which will see the agency install new fare gates in all stations by 2026.

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2023

Oakland Post

Photo courtesy of BART

By Kathy Chouteau

If you’re catching a BART train a few years from now and something looks a little different, it’s probably just the station’s new fare gates catching your eye.

BART’s Board of Directors recommended at its March 23 meeting that it move ahead with purchasing the $90 million Next Generation Fare Gate project, which will see the agency install new fare gates in all stations by 2026.

The new fare gates are anticipated to deliver an updated look and improved experience, per BART, which said the gates’ state-of-the-art technology will reduce fare evasion; enhance access for people in wheelchairs, cyclists and those with strollers; and optimize reliability and maintenance needs.

STraffic America, an urban mobility innovation company, was recommended by BART to receive $47 million for the project and will work with staff to “stress-test” the as-yet-undetermined new fare gate designs later in 2023.

BART expects the new gates “to have clear swing barriers that will be very difficult to be pushed through, jumped over or maneuvered under.” Gone will be the familiar orange fins from the 700 current fare gates.

BART said the new fare gates will not only be able to process large crowds with Clipper cards quickly, but also will have 3D sensors able to detect riders in a wheelchair, or with a bike, stroller or luggage so that they are given extra time before the barrier closes.

LED lighting will illuminate the swing barriers and the pathway, and the ADA community is providing input to STraffic on the design.

BART Board President Janice Li said the new fare gates “will transform the rider experience and will deliver immediate improvements to safety and reliability.”

She said the agency researched worldwide best practices regarding fare gate designs to help inform this purchase and is grateful to local, state, and federal funding sources who have stepped up to support the project.

BART said it has secured $73 million of $90 million for the new fare gates project, with funding from BART funds (Operating-to-capital allocation and Measure RR) $23 million; county transportation agency funds $28 million; federal funds $15 million; and state funds $6.5 million.

The agency added that it stringently vetted vendor proposals for the project and committed to subcontracting 11% of the work to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

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July 26, 2024

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Bay Area

Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

Special to the Post

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.

Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.

From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.

Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.

Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.

Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.

SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.

The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.

As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.

As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.

From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.

By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.

We cannot afford SB 966.

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.