window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"news_11979244": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11979244",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11979244",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-05-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1710354005,
"modified": 1715715709,
"caption": "BART Crisis Intervention Specialist Natalie Robinson walks through a Dublin/Pleasanton-bound BART train near Lake Merritt station on March 13, 2024, looking for people in distress.",
"description": null,
"title": "240313-BART CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT-MD-05-KQED",
"credit": "Martin do Nascimento/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A woman in a dark-blue jacket that says 'Crisis Intervention Specialist' on the back walks through a BART train.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11980183": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11980183",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11980183",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11980161,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qut-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1710975708,
"modified": 1710975788,
"caption": "A train approaches the station at the San Leandro BART station on March 13, 2024.",
"description": null,
"title": "240313-BART CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT-MD-16_qut",
"credit": "Martin do Nascimento/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A train approaches the station with people waiting.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11971333": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11971333",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11971333",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11971332,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-1038x576.jpeg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-160x120.jpeg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 120
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-672x372.jpeg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101.jpeg",
"width": 2048,
"height": 1536
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-1020x765.jpeg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 765
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-1536x1152.jpeg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1152
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-1920x1440.jpeg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1440
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/BART-Fire-240101-800x600.jpeg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 600
}
},
"publishDate": 1704133704,
"modified": 1704133811,
"caption": "Smoke rises from a BART train along Highway 24 just east of the Orinda station after a derailment Monday morning. ",
"description": null,
"title": "BART Fire 240101",
"credit": "Courtesy of Craig Church",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Smoke rises from a BART train.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11968489": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11968489",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11968489",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11968486,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/TheBay_iTunesTile_01-1020x1020-1-big-1020x576.jpeg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/TheBay_iTunesTile_01-1020x1020-1-big-160x160.jpeg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 160
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/TheBay_iTunesTile_01-1020x1020-1-big-672x372.jpeg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/TheBay_iTunesTile_01-1020x1020-1-big.jpeg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 1020
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/11/TheBay_iTunesTile_01-1020x1020-1-big-800x800.jpeg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 800
}
},
"publishDate": 1701208049,
"modified": 1701208065,
"caption": null,
"description": null,
"title": "The-Bay-Tile",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": null,
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11959064": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11959064",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11959064",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230824-BART-Getty-PC-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1692905501,
"modified": 1694533777,
"caption": "Passengers aboard a San Francisco bound train wait for the doors to close at the 19th Street BART station in Oakland on Aug. 2, 2018.",
"description": null,
"title": "new-bart-schedule",
"credit": "Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "People are seen through the open doorway of a train car.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11959976": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11959976",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11959976",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11959973,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-160x120.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 120
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-scaled.jpg",
"width": 2560,
"height": 1920
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-2048x1536.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1536
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-1020x765.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 765
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-1536x1152.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1152
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-1920x1440.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1440
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/BART-800x600.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 600
}
},
"publishDate": 1693611890,
"modified": 1693612257,
"caption": "Advocates and BART officials gathered at the Berkeley station to announce the expansion of the agency's sexual harassment prevention program.",
"description": null,
"title": "BART",
"credit": "Billy Cruz/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "a group of mostly women stand outside, holding up three colorful posters",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11958827": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11958827",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11958827",
"found": true
},
"title": "A train destined for Warm Springs arrives at the West Oakland BART station in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. BART is setting up a bus bridge between the West Oakland station and the 19th Street and Lake Merritt stations during selected weekend",
"publishDate": 1692741408,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12040762,
"modified": 1747696685,
"caption": "A train destined for Warm Springs arrives at the West Oakland BART station in Oakland on Aug. 2, 2018.",
"credit": "Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images",
"altTag": "A train car pulls into an outdoor station with several passengers waiting on the platform.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/230822-BART-TRAIN-GETTY-PC-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11958608": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11958608",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11958608",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11958604,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-160x102.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 102
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-scaled.jpg",
"width": 2560,
"height": 1634
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-2048x1307.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1307
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-1020x651.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 651
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-1536x980.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 980
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-1920x1225.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1225
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1528848239-800x511.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 511
}
},
"publishDate": 1692403651,
"modified": 1692403765,
"caption": "Vehicles cross the toll plaza on the Bay Bridge during the afternoon commute in Oakland on June 26, 2023.",
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Bridge Toll Plaza",
"credit": "Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Aerial shot of cars at a series of toll booths on a bridge, with a $7 toll fee in a digital sign above the booths.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11956822": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11956822",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11956822",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS37886__M6A1481-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1690573223,
"modified": 1690573337,
"caption": "Turnstiles at the Embarcadero BART station on June 25, 2019.",
"description": null,
"title": "RS37886__M6A1481-KQED",
"credit": "Sruti Mamidanna/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Turnstiles in a large underground facility.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11955435": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11955435",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955435",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11955433,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/BART-SWEATER-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1689120340,
"modified": 1689182672,
"caption": "BART's popular ugly holiday sweater (center) is back, with 1,500 up for grabs. This year, public transit diehards can expect matching knits for their canine friends and a fuzzy beanie. Presale orders start today.",
"description": null,
"title": "BART SWEATER",
"credit": "Courtesy of BART/Graphic by Martin do Nascimento",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A graphic image of three knit clothing items: one is an ugly holiday sweater for dogs; another is a knitted ugly holiday sweater for people; last is an ugly holiday pattern for a knit beanie. This is for BART's annual holiday sweater sales.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11954323": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11954323",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954323",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11954314,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-1024x576.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"height": 683
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 534
}
},
"publishDate": 1687913345,
"modified": 1687977909,
"caption": "Gov. Newsom in front of the California State Capitol in January 2023.",
"description": null,
"title": "Governor Gavin Newsom is set to be inaugurated for a second term on Friday, Jan. 6, and the preparations for the ceremony are underway in downtown Sacramento.",
"credit": "Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Gavin Newsom stands at a speaking podium, with the dome of the capitol building in the background.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"danbrekke": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "222",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "222",
"found": true
},
"name": "Dan Brekke",
"firstName": "Dan",
"lastName": "Brekke",
"slug": "danbrekke",
"email": "dbrekke@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news",
"science"
],
"title": "KQED Editor and Reporter",
"bio": "Dan Brekke is a reporter and editor for KQED News, responsible for coverage of topics ranging from California water issues to the Bay Area's transportation challenges. In a newsroom career that began in Chicago in 1972, Dan has worked for \u003cem>The San Francisco Examiner,\u003c/em> Wired and TechTV and has been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Business 2.0, Salon and elsewhere.\r\n\r\nSince joining KQED in 2007, Dan has reported, edited and produced both radio and online features and breaking news pieces. He has shared as both editor and reporter in four Society of Professional Journalists Norcal Excellence in Journalism awards and one Edward R. Murrow regional award. He was chosen for a spring 2017 residency at the Mesa Refuge to advance his research on California salmon.\r\n\r\nEmail Dan at: \u003ca href=\"mailto:dbrekke@kqed.org\">dbrekke@kqed.org\u003c/a>\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong>Twitter:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">twitter.com/danbrekke\u003c/a>\r\n\u003cstrong>Facebook:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.facebook.com/danbrekke\u003c/a>\r\n\u003cstrong>LinkedIn:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke\u003c/a>",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twitter": "danbrekke",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "https://www.instagram.com/dan.brekke/",
"linkedin": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke/",
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"administrator",
"create_posts"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "quest",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Dan Brekke | KQED",
"description": "KQED Editor and Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/danbrekke"
},
"gmarzorati": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "227",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "227",
"found": true
},
"name": "Guy Marzorati",
"firstName": "Guy",
"lastName": "Marzorati",
"slug": "gmarzorati",
"email": "gmarzorati@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Correspondent",
"bio": "Guy Marzorati is a correspondent on KQED's California Politics and Government Desk, based in San Jose. A graduate of Santa Clara University, Guy joined KQED in 2013. He reports on state and local politics and produces KQED's digital voter guide.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e7038b8dbfd55b104369b76b1cd0b9de?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "guymarzorati",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "elections",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Guy Marzorati | KQED",
"description": "Correspondent",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e7038b8dbfd55b104369b76b1cd0b9de?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e7038b8dbfd55b104369b76b1cd0b9de?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/gmarzorati"
},
"matthewgreen": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "1263",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "1263",
"found": true
},
"name": "Matthew Green",
"firstName": "Matthew",
"lastName": "Green",
"slug": "matthewgreen",
"email": "mgreen@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Editor/Reporter",
"bio": "Matthew Green is a digital media producer for KQED News. He previously produced \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/lowdown\">The Lowdown\u003c/a>, KQED’s multimedia news education blog. Matthew's written for numerous Bay Area publications, including the Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle. He also taught journalism classes at Fremont High School in East Oakland.\r\n\r\nEmail: mgreen@kqed.org; Twitter: @MGreenKQED",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3bf498d1267ca02c8494f33d8cfc575e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "MGreenKQED",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "lowdown",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "education",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "quest",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": []
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Matthew Green | KQED",
"description": "KQED Editor/Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3bf498d1267ca02c8494f33d8cfc575e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3bf498d1267ca02c8494f33d8cfc575e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/matthewgreen"
},
"ecruzguevarra": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "8654",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "8654",
"found": true
},
"name": "Ericka Cruz Guevarra",
"firstName": "Ericka",
"lastName": "Cruz Guevarra",
"slug": "ecruzguevarra",
"email": "ecruzguevarra@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Producer, The Bay Podcast",
"bio": "Ericka Cruz Guevarra is host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/thebay\">\u003cem>The Bay\u003c/em>\u003c/a> podcast at KQED. Before host, she was the show’s producer. Her work in that capacity includes a three-part reported series on policing in Vallejo, which won a 2020 excellence in journalism award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Ericka has worked as a breaking news reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting, helped produce the Code Switch podcast, and was KQED’s inaugural Raul Ramirez Diversity Fund intern. She’s also an alumna of NPR’s Next Generation Radio program. Send her an email if you have strong feelings about whether Fairfield and Suisun City are the Bay. Ericka is represented by SAG-AFTRA.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/25e5ab8d3d53fad2dcc7bb2b5c506b1a?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "NotoriousECG",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"subscriber"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor",
"manage_categories"
]
},
{
"site": "futureofyou",
"roles": [
"subscriber"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"subscriber"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"subscriber"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Ericka Cruz Guevarra | KQED",
"description": "Producer, The Bay Podcast",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/25e5ab8d3d53fad2dcc7bb2b5c506b1a?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/25e5ab8d3d53fad2dcc7bb2b5c506b1a?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/ecruzguevarra"
},
"jasminegarnett": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11530",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11530",
"found": true
},
"name": "Jasmine Garnett",
"firstName": "Jasmine",
"lastName": "Garnett",
"slug": "jasminegarnett",
"email": "JGarnett@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Senior Engagement Platforms Producer",
"bio": "Jasmine is a Senior Engagement Platforms Producer on the KQED News team. She is also a freelance writer, with work appearing in KQED, Bitch Media, and Kotaku among others. Jasmine graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Media Studies, where she was also an Arts and Entertainment reporter at the Daily Californian.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6ea8b0641874311533b7401bee15c8e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "JFLGarnett",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "about",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "pressroom",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Jasmine Garnett | KQED",
"description": "Senior Engagement Platforms Producer",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6ea8b0641874311533b7401bee15c8e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6ea8b0641874311533b7401bee15c8e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/jasminegarnett"
},
"amontecillo": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11649",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11649",
"found": true
},
"name": "Alan Montecillo",
"firstName": "Alan",
"lastName": "Montecillo",
"slug": "amontecillo",
"email": "amontecillo@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Alan Montecillo is the senior editor of \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/thebay\">The Bay\u003c/a>, \u003c/em> KQED's local news podcast. Before moving to the Bay Area, he worked as a senior talk show producer for WILL in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and at Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland, Oregon. He has won journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California, the Public Media Journalists Association, The Signal Awards, and has also received a regional Edward R. Murrow award. Alan is a Filipino American from Hong Kong and a graduate of Reed College.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5e4e7a76481969ccba76f4e2b5ccabc?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "alanmontecillo",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor",
"manage_categories"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Alan Montecillo | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5e4e7a76481969ccba76f4e2b5ccabc?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d5e4e7a76481969ccba76f4e2b5ccabc?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/amontecillo"
},
"mesquinca": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11802",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11802",
"found": true
},
"name": "Maria Esquinca",
"firstName": "Maria",
"lastName": "Esquinca",
"slug": "mesquinca",
"email": "mesquinca@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "Producer, The Bay",
"bio": "María Esquinca is a producer of The Bay. Before that, she was a New York Women’s Foundation IGNITE Fellow at Latino USA. She worked at Radio Bilingue where she covered the San Joaquin Valley. Maria has interned at WLRN, News 21, The New York Times Student Journalism Institute and at Crain’s Detroit Business as a Dow Jones News Fund Business Reporting Intern. She is an MFA graduate from the University of Miami. In 2017, she graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a Master of Mass Communication. A fronteriza, she was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and grew up in El Paso, Texas.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77cedba18aae91da775038ba06dcd8d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "@m_esquinca",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": []
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Maria Esquinca | KQED",
"description": "Producer, The Bay",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77cedba18aae91da775038ba06dcd8d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77cedba18aae91da775038ba06dcd8d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/mesquinca"
},
"wcruz": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11877",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11877",
"found": true
},
"name": "Billy Cruz",
"firstName": "Billy",
"lastName": "Cruz",
"slug": "wcruz",
"email": "wcruz@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": null,
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/efb9f03fbae607d3633ff94bb902e942?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Billy Cruz | KQED",
"description": null,
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/efb9f03fbae607d3633ff94bb902e942?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/efb9f03fbae607d3633ff94bb902e942?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/wcruz"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"news_tag_bart": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_269",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "269",
"score": 8.555333
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "BART",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "BART Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 277,
"slug": "bart",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "BART",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "news",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 8
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/news?tag=bart",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 8
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"news_11985965": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11985965",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11985965",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1715684417000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "we-approach-in-peace-are-barts-outreach-efforts-to-help-people-in-crisis-working",
"title": "'We Approach in Peace': Are BART's Efforts to Help People in Crisis Working?",
"publishDate": 1715684417,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "‘We Approach in Peace’: Are BART’s Efforts to Help People in Crisis Working? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>On a recent rainy morning, Stephine Barnes paces slowly through a covered outdoor walkway off the main entrance of the San Leandro BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People like to camp out here because you have shelter. There’s no rain, it’s dry. So people just find little nooks and crannies,” Barnes says, surveying the area. “It’s usually where we find a lot of people in the wee hours of the morning, sleeping, camped out, wandering around.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barnes is a BART crisis intervention specialist, and her job entails seeking out and offering help to the many people in the sprawling transit system struggling with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction. She and her partner for the day, Natalie Robinson, are part of the agency’s ambitious new efforts to address a slew of human crises that show up on BART’s trains and platforms every day — without involving the police.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They spot a young woman with glasses and a purple bow in her hair who is hastily pulling belongings from a bike locker. Two roller bags, a dirty blanket and a ragged stuffed octopus are among the random array of possessions splayed on the ground around her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barnes and Robinson approach cautiously, mindful of a large Rottweiler sitting nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We like to connect people with resources,” Robinson says. “So if you have a need for shelter, housing, anything like that, you can let us know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The woman, who gives her name as Cat, seems tentative but receptive. She tells them that she and her boyfriend arrived recently from Southern California. They had been living in their car and storing their belongings in the bike locker. But BART police had just ordered them to clear out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cat nods to the dog, which sports a black-and-white smiley face bandana around its neck. “That’s Einstein,” she says. “He’s our son.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Oh, my goodness, you’re just a sweetheart,” Barnes exclaims, patting the dog’s head.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979248\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979248 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A middle-aged Black woman speaks to a younger woman wearing a purple hair decoration.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside the San Leandro Bart station, BART Crisis Intervention Specialist Stephine Barnes tells an unhoused person named Cat about a nearby housing assistance program. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>She tells Cat to take her time retrieving her belongings, and emphasizes that she and Robinson are not police officers and aren’t there to pressure her to leave.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you guys are interested in getting on the list for permanent housing in Alameda County, there’s a place called Hedco in Hayward,” Barnes tells her. “You can get coffee in the morning and all that kind of stuff. And then they put you in line on how to get these resources for housing and all of those things Alameda County offers.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Robinson explains how to get there and hands Cat her card, telling her to call if she needs anything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m really bad with resources, honestly. So this is great,” Cat says, stuffing the card in her jacket pocket and continuing her hurried packing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You don’t have to be out here forever,” Robinson says as she and Barnes wish Cat luck and head back toward the station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’ll probably never know if she follows through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It varies widely,” Robinson says. “We could bring someone to a resource, and they literally don’t walk in the door, or we connect somebody, and they follow all the way through.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>‘Customer service on steroids’\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Barnes and Robinson, both seasoned BART employees, were among the first to join the crisis intervention team, now a 20-member crew dispatched throughout the 50-station transit system to offer help to people who appear to be overtly in need of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding that population has gotten a good deal easier in recent years, amid a discernible uptick in the number of people on BART’s trains and platforms experiencing homelessness or suffering from serious mental health issues — a trend that mirrors \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/homeless-populations-surge-11-in-san-jose-and-8-17176329.php\">the overall surge\u003c/a> in the Bay Area’s unhoused population since the start of the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART realized “a lot of the problems that were happening outside the station were coming inside the station,” says Barnes, 53, who was a station agent for 27 years, most recently at the Coliseum station in Oakland, before taking this job. “And, of course, as an agent, you see that firsthand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART’s boots-on-the-ground outreach approach, launched in the depths of the pandemic, marks a notable foray into social services for an agency whose main objective has always been getting people from point A to point B.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The effort comes as BART struggles to recoup ridership, which \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/202403%20MRR.pdf\">still hovers at just over 40%\u003c/a> of pre-pandemic levels, and as riders \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/press-releases/new-poll-overwhelming-support-for-more-police-on-bart-greater-focus-on-cleanliness-and-stronger-enforcement-of-rules/\">consistently say in surveys that \u003c/a>they’re most dissatisfied with how the agency addresses homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11986011\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11986011 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg\" alt=\"Two middle-aged women in dark-blue uniforms speak to an unseen passenger on a BART train.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (left) and Stephine Barnes check on the well-being of a BART passenger they think might need help. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Those factors have prompted BART’s leaders to ratchet up funding for crisis intervention and related services — to the tune of $11 million last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/Homeless%20Action%20Plan.pdf\">according to the agency’s 2023 homeless action plan\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People have seen a need for something different than what everyone was doing before, which was, ‘Call the police, call the police, call the police,’” says Barnes, who describes her job as “customer service on steroids.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most jobs at BART have existed since the agency started running trains more than 50 years ago, she notes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There was nothing, though, that really addressed the mental health component or the homelessness crisis that we’re experiencing in the Bay Area,” Barnes says. “So when I first read [about the job], I thought, ‘Wow, this is like the next-level customer service.’ Because some customers need more help than just buying a Clipper Card.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CISes, as they’re called, operate under the auspices of BART’s Police Department. But they wear distinctive, labeled uniforms and roam the stations and trains of their assigned zone in pairs, unaccompanied by sworn officers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also have no enforcement power and don’t carry any weapons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’re armed, instead, with latex gloves, Narcan — used to reverse opioid overdoses — and police radios in the event they need backup. And they use electronic notepads to document and tally their interactions, data the agency hopes will eventually demonstrate the still-undetermined effectiveness of the program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some CISes, like Robinson, 49, who worked as a BART police dispatcher for 16 years, also load their pockets with snacks to hand out. Others carry extra pairs of clean socks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much of the help CISes offer comes in the form of referrals to a collection of social service and mental health nonprofits sprinkled throughout BART’s five-county service area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We get to do God’s work out here,” Robinson says. “We’re helping people who are unhoused, who have substance-abuse issues, mental health issues. And being able to connect them to the proper service — those who are willing to make changes in their life — it’s just really rewarding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>Signs of distress\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On this morning, Barnes and Robinson are about midway through an 8-hour shift, one that began at 5 a.m. and has taken them back and forth multiple times across their zone, from San Leandro to Lake Merritt stations. Much of that is spent patrolling train cars and platforms, searching for telltale signs of distress.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We pay attention to maybe some drug paraphernalia, someone who might be passed out, and check on their welfare,” Robinson says. “And then we’re also patrolling stations and just interacting with the public and building relationships with individuals that we see on a repeat basis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART station agents and train operators can reach out to the CISes for help dealing with difficult but non-threatening situations, Barnes says. Passengers can also now call BART police to request help from a non-sworn officer, and dispatchers are authorized to reroute certain 911 calls to them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979245\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979245 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person in a bathrobe and slippers walks on a train platform.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A person in a bathrobe and slippers walks along the platform of the Fruitvale BART Station — someone that Crisis Intervention Specialist Stephine Barnes says she has interacted with multiple times. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We can be more accessible to the public than the officers can. They’re responding to emergencies, they’re responding to fights, they’re responding to someone with a weapon,” Barnes says. “But we can take the time out. If you need to talk to me for an hour, you have me for an hour. If I need to escort you on the train, and I need to take you to a resource that’s 30, 40 minutes away, I have the time to do that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even when people are in their worst state, Barnes says, they’re still generally grateful to have someone checking in on them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, of course, there are times when you’re going to be called names and told ‘Get away, you’re going to get your ass kicked,’ she says. “But I got that more as a station agent than I have in this position.”[aside label=\"more on homelessness\" tag=\"homelessness\"]BART says CISes “\u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230103-2\">have a background in social work\u003c/a>” or related experience and receive a month-long training that focuses on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for people suffering from mental health, homelessness and substance-abuse issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re all trained in how to come in peace. So when we approach, we approach in peace,” Barnes says. “It’s about a greeting. It’s about, ‘Hey, how are you? How are you doing? How can I best support you?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And a lot of times, they’re very receptive to it,” she says. “But it takes time. Relationships take time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over roughly two hours that morning, Barnes and Robinson ask about 10 people if they need some help, including several semi-conscious riders slumped over on their seats and an older man near the entrance of the Coliseum station wrapped in a dirty blanket, muttering to himself. All, except Cat, the woman they encountered at San Leandro station, wave them off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last quarter of 2023, CISes \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/Quarterly%20Service%20Performance%20Review%20-%20Second%20Quarter%20Fiscal%20Year%202024%20-%20Presentation%20%281%29.pdf\">reported having more than 4,500 contacts\u003c/a>, of which 210 — just under 5% — resulted in verifiable connections to service providers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a game of patience. It may be the first contact somebody is ready to seek that help. Sometimes it might be the 20th contact,” says Ja’Son Scott, deputy chief of BART’s nascent Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau, which encompasses the CIS program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scott’s bureau was launched \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/unarmed-bart-ambassadors-program-formalized-with-a-focus-on-community-service/article_f74c861e-326f-585d-9014-44665369b258.html\">in the fall of 2020\u003c/a>, just months after George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests for racial justice and police accountability. BART says its new approach, aimed at helping to restore ridership, came in response to mounting requests from passengers for an increased safety presence in the system but with less reliance on armed officers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979241\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979241 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two women in uniform look through an open BART train door.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (left) and Stephine Barnes speak to passengers on a BART train that’s been stalled on the platform after a man reportedly flung a bag of feces-caked laundry around the first car. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The initiative has an annual budget of roughly $8 million, and in addition to the 20 CISes, it includes up to 10 “transit ambassadors” who also patrol the system, reporting safety concerns and “biohazards.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>I realize we didn’t have all the tools as police officers to deal with all the issues that you see in BART, and it’s not always necessary for a police officer to do that,” Scott says. “We can’t arrest our way through these problems.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>Outreach vs. enforcement\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART’s social service efforts, however, haven’t always gone smoothly. The agency’s inspector general \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/REPORT_%24350K%20for%20Homeless%20Outreach%20Yielded%20Unclear%20Results_Final_020323.pdf\">reported\u003c/a> last year that a $350,000 multiyear contract with the Salvation Army to address homelessness resulted in just one unsheltered person entering treatment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the same time, BART’s Police Department has ramped up enforcement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240328\">reporting a 62% increase in arrests\u003c/a> last year while aggressively recruiting to fill vacant positions on its force by offering higher salaries and signing bonuses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those developments come as riders say they want to see more sworn officers in the system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://drive.zooce.com/management/builtinapps/fileoperator.aspx?child=1&a=D3B60E43-50D3-46D5-A799-2C3CECF14238&ro=1&fid=13728646727690992504_9832503603610834240\">2023 Bay Area Council poll\u003c/a> found three-fourths of respondents would make that a high priority. Four out of five agreed that people who violate BART’s code of conduct — rules that prohibit smoking, eating, and playing loud music, among other things — should be ejected from the system. And more than two-thirds of respondents said they thought BART should focus exclusively on running a clean, safe and reliable transit operation — while letting other public agencies deal with people in crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Debora Allen, a BART Board director, is among that majority. A staunch supporter of tougher law enforcement within the system, Allen was one of just two board members who voted against forming the Progressive Policing Bureau. And she remains dubious of its benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Look, no one wants to help people who are down and out and in crisis more than me. I think all of us on that board have the same interest,” she says. But “transit isn’t the place to start social service programs. We have counties and cities who receive hundreds of millions of dollars each year to do this social service work. We should remain focused on transit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979246\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979246 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A Narcan case on someone's belt.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stephine Barnes and other crisis intervention specialists always carry Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Allen argues that BART is using scarce dollars to deliver services to people inside the system, all but incentivizing them to stay there, while offering little in the way of data to show if the program is actually helping people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What I have argued all along is our first line of defense should be to keep those people out of the system,” Allen says, decrying BART’s failure to clamp down on rampant fare evasion. \u003cb>“\u003c/b>Having them wandering and sometimes even living inside of a transit system with active moving trains all the time is the most dangerous place for them to decide to live.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘We are definitely needed’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At Lake Merritt station, Barnes and Robinson are dispatched to a Dublin-Pleasanton-bound train that’s been stalled on the platform after a man reportedly flung a bag of feces-caked laundry around the first car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>So it was all over the train car. They say he wiped it out, but it definitely needs disinfecting,” Robinson says after speaking with the train operator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They calmly head up the stairs and out of the station in pursuit of the man and spend about five minutes looking for him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>We don’t see him anywhere. We always make an attempt to try to find somebody,” says Robinson, who had hoped to refer him to a shower and laundry truck that serves the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To do this job successfully, she says, it’s important to not get too emotionally involved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, my personal outlook and training is that, you know, this is their life, their problems, their choices,” Robinson says. “So I can’t dwell necessarily on the feelings that are so associated with seeing so much human misery.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979243\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11979243\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two people in dark-blue uniforms talk to a BART train conductor.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (center) and Stephine Barnes speak to a BART train conductor about a man who had been causing a disturbance on the train. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But Robinson says the support she and her team offer can be a game changer — if and when people actually accept it. She recounts trying to build a relationship, over months, with a young man she often saw riding the trains in her zone, obviously intoxicated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And then one day, he came and asked for us and said he was ready for recovery,” she says. “He needed somebody to dial the phone for him. He needed somebody to talk to his dad for him. He was literally at his lowest point in his life. And you need a hand in those moments.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She paused, waiting for the whine of a departing train to fade.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So yeah, we are definitely needed,” she says. “There needs to be a 100 of us, not just 20.”\u003cbr>\n[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "BART's crisis intervention team is part of the transit agency's ambitious new strategy to reach out to the many people in the sprawling transit system who struggle with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction — without involving the police.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1726004381,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 64,
"wordCount": 2891
},
"headData": {
"title": "'We Approach in Peace': Are BART's Efforts to Help People in Crisis Working? | KQED",
"description": "BART's crisis intervention team is part of the transit agency's ambitious new strategy to reach out to the many people in the sprawling transit system who struggle with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction — without involving the police.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "'We Approach in Peace': Are BART's Efforts to Help People in Crisis Working?",
"datePublished": "2024-05-14T04:00:17-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-09-10T14:39:41-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/53e5a2e5-5fdd-49e6-9b42-b1bc01115944/audio.mp3?download=true",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-11985965",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11985965/we-approach-in-peace-are-barts-outreach-efforts-to-help-people-in-crisis-working",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>On a recent rainy morning, Stephine Barnes paces slowly through a covered outdoor walkway off the main entrance of the San Leandro BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People like to camp out here because you have shelter. There’s no rain, it’s dry. So people just find little nooks and crannies,” Barnes says, surveying the area. “It’s usually where we find a lot of people in the wee hours of the morning, sleeping, camped out, wandering around.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barnes is a BART crisis intervention specialist, and her job entails seeking out and offering help to the many people in the sprawling transit system struggling with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction. She and her partner for the day, Natalie Robinson, are part of the agency’s ambitious new efforts to address a slew of human crises that show up on BART’s trains and platforms every day — without involving the police.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They spot a young woman with glasses and a purple bow in her hair who is hastily pulling belongings from a bike locker. Two roller bags, a dirty blanket and a ragged stuffed octopus are among the random array of possessions splayed on the ground around her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Barnes and Robinson approach cautiously, mindful of a large Rottweiler sitting nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We like to connect people with resources,” Robinson says. “So if you have a need for shelter, housing, anything like that, you can let us know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The woman, who gives her name as Cat, seems tentative but receptive. She tells them that she and her boyfriend arrived recently from Southern California. They had been living in their car and storing their belongings in the bike locker. But BART police had just ordered them to clear out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cat nods to the dog, which sports a black-and-white smiley face bandana around its neck. “That’s Einstein,” she says. “He’s our son.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Oh, my goodness, you’re just a sweetheart,” Barnes exclaims, patting the dog’s head.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979248\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979248 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A middle-aged Black woman speaks to a younger woman wearing a purple hair decoration.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-12-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside the San Leandro Bart station, BART Crisis Intervention Specialist Stephine Barnes tells an unhoused person named Cat about a nearby housing assistance program. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>She tells Cat to take her time retrieving her belongings, and emphasizes that she and Robinson are not police officers and aren’t there to pressure her to leave.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you guys are interested in getting on the list for permanent housing in Alameda County, there’s a place called Hedco in Hayward,” Barnes tells her. “You can get coffee in the morning and all that kind of stuff. And then they put you in line on how to get these resources for housing and all of those things Alameda County offers.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Robinson explains how to get there and hands Cat her card, telling her to call if she needs anything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m really bad with resources, honestly. So this is great,” Cat says, stuffing the card in her jacket pocket and continuing her hurried packing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You don’t have to be out here forever,” Robinson says as she and Barnes wish Cat luck and head back toward the station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’ll probably never know if she follows through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It varies widely,” Robinson says. “We could bring someone to a resource, and they literally don’t walk in the door, or we connect somebody, and they follow all the way through.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>‘Customer service on steroids’\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2021, Barnes and Robinson, both seasoned BART employees, were among the first to join the crisis intervention team, now a 20-member crew dispatched throughout the 50-station transit system to offer help to people who appear to be overtly in need of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Finding that population has gotten a good deal easier in recent years, amid a discernible uptick in the number of people on BART’s trains and platforms experiencing homelessness or suffering from serious mental health issues — a trend that mirrors \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/homeless-populations-surge-11-in-san-jose-and-8-17176329.php\">the overall surge\u003c/a> in the Bay Area’s unhoused population since the start of the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART realized “a lot of the problems that were happening outside the station were coming inside the station,” says Barnes, 53, who was a station agent for 27 years, most recently at the Coliseum station in Oakland, before taking this job. “And, of course, as an agent, you see that firsthand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART’s boots-on-the-ground outreach approach, launched in the depths of the pandemic, marks a notable foray into social services for an agency whose main objective has always been getting people from point A to point B.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The effort comes as BART struggles to recoup ridership, which \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/202403%20MRR.pdf\">still hovers at just over 40%\u003c/a> of pre-pandemic levels, and as riders \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/press-releases/new-poll-overwhelming-support-for-more-police-on-bart-greater-focus-on-cleanliness-and-stronger-enforcement-of-rules/\">consistently say in surveys that \u003c/a>they’re most dissatisfied with how the agency addresses homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11986011\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11986011 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg\" alt=\"Two middle-aged women in dark-blue uniforms speak to an unseen passenger on a BART train.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-06_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (left) and Stephine Barnes check on the well-being of a BART passenger they think might need help. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Those factors have prompted BART’s leaders to ratchet up funding for crisis intervention and related services — to the tune of $11 million last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/Homeless%20Action%20Plan.pdf\">according to the agency’s 2023 homeless action plan\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People have seen a need for something different than what everyone was doing before, which was, ‘Call the police, call the police, call the police,’” says Barnes, who describes her job as “customer service on steroids.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most jobs at BART have existed since the agency started running trains more than 50 years ago, she notes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There was nothing, though, that really addressed the mental health component or the homelessness crisis that we’re experiencing in the Bay Area,” Barnes says. “So when I first read [about the job], I thought, ‘Wow, this is like the next-level customer service.’ Because some customers need more help than just buying a Clipper Card.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CISes, as they’re called, operate under the auspices of BART’s Police Department. But they wear distinctive, labeled uniforms and roam the stations and trains of their assigned zone in pairs, unaccompanied by sworn officers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also have no enforcement power and don’t carry any weapons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’re armed, instead, with latex gloves, Narcan — used to reverse opioid overdoses — and police radios in the event they need backup. And they use electronic notepads to document and tally their interactions, data the agency hopes will eventually demonstrate the still-undetermined effectiveness of the program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some CISes, like Robinson, 49, who worked as a BART police dispatcher for 16 years, also load their pockets with snacks to hand out. Others carry extra pairs of clean socks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much of the help CISes offer comes in the form of referrals to a collection of social service and mental health nonprofits sprinkled throughout BART’s five-county service area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We get to do God’s work out here,” Robinson says. “We’re helping people who are unhoused, who have substance-abuse issues, mental health issues. And being able to connect them to the proper service — those who are willing to make changes in their life — it’s just really rewarding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>Signs of distress\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On this morning, Barnes and Robinson are about midway through an 8-hour shift, one that began at 5 a.m. and has taken them back and forth multiple times across their zone, from San Leandro to Lake Merritt stations. Much of that is spent patrolling train cars and platforms, searching for telltale signs of distress.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We pay attention to maybe some drug paraphernalia, someone who might be passed out, and check on their welfare,” Robinson says. “And then we’re also patrolling stations and just interacting with the public and building relationships with individuals that we see on a repeat basis.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART station agents and train operators can reach out to the CISes for help dealing with difficult but non-threatening situations, Barnes says. Passengers can also now call BART police to request help from a non-sworn officer, and dispatchers are authorized to reroute certain 911 calls to them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979245\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979245 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person in a bathrobe and slippers walks on a train platform.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-07-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A person in a bathrobe and slippers walks along the platform of the Fruitvale BART Station — someone that Crisis Intervention Specialist Stephine Barnes says she has interacted with multiple times. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We can be more accessible to the public than the officers can. They’re responding to emergencies, they’re responding to fights, they’re responding to someone with a weapon,” Barnes says. “But we can take the time out. If you need to talk to me for an hour, you have me for an hour. If I need to escort you on the train, and I need to take you to a resource that’s 30, 40 minutes away, I have the time to do that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even when people are in their worst state, Barnes says, they’re still generally grateful to have someone checking in on them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, of course, there are times when you’re going to be called names and told ‘Get away, you’re going to get your ass kicked,’ she says. “But I got that more as a station agent than I have in this position.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "more on homelessness ",
"tag": "homelessness"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>BART says CISes “\u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230103-2\">have a background in social work\u003c/a>” or related experience and receive a month-long training that focuses on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for people suffering from mental health, homelessness and substance-abuse issues.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re all trained in how to come in peace. So when we approach, we approach in peace,” Barnes says. “It’s about a greeting. It’s about, ‘Hey, how are you? How are you doing? How can I best support you?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And a lot of times, they’re very receptive to it,” she says. “But it takes time. Relationships take time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over roughly two hours that morning, Barnes and Robinson ask about 10 people if they need some help, including several semi-conscious riders slumped over on their seats and an older man near the entrance of the Coliseum station wrapped in a dirty blanket, muttering to himself. All, except Cat, the woman they encountered at San Leandro station, wave them off.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last quarter of 2023, CISes \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/Quarterly%20Service%20Performance%20Review%20-%20Second%20Quarter%20Fiscal%20Year%202024%20-%20Presentation%20%281%29.pdf\">reported having more than 4,500 contacts\u003c/a>, of which 210 — just under 5% — resulted in verifiable connections to service providers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a game of patience. It may be the first contact somebody is ready to seek that help. Sometimes it might be the 20th contact,” says Ja’Son Scott, deputy chief of BART’s nascent Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau, which encompasses the CIS program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scott’s bureau was launched \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/unarmed-bart-ambassadors-program-formalized-with-a-focus-on-community-service/article_f74c861e-326f-585d-9014-44665369b258.html\">in the fall of 2020\u003c/a>, just months after George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests for racial justice and police accountability. BART says its new approach, aimed at helping to restore ridership, came in response to mounting requests from passengers for an increased safety presence in the system but with less reliance on armed officers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979241\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979241 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two women in uniform look through an open BART train door.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-02-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (left) and Stephine Barnes speak to passengers on a BART train that’s been stalled on the platform after a man reportedly flung a bag of feces-caked laundry around the first car. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The initiative has an annual budget of roughly $8 million, and in addition to the 20 CISes, it includes up to 10 “transit ambassadors” who also patrol the system, reporting safety concerns and “biohazards.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>I realize we didn’t have all the tools as police officers to deal with all the issues that you see in BART, and it’s not always necessary for a police officer to do that,” Scott says. “We can’t arrest our way through these problems.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>Outreach vs. enforcement\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART’s social service efforts, however, haven’t always gone smoothly. The agency’s inspector general \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/REPORT_%24350K%20for%20Homeless%20Outreach%20Yielded%20Unclear%20Results_Final_020323.pdf\">reported\u003c/a> last year that a $350,000 multiyear contract with the Salvation Army to address homelessness resulted in just one unsheltered person entering treatment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the same time, BART’s Police Department has ramped up enforcement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240328\">reporting a 62% increase in arrests\u003c/a> last year while aggressively recruiting to fill vacant positions on its force by offering higher salaries and signing bonuses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those developments come as riders say they want to see more sworn officers in the system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://drive.zooce.com/management/builtinapps/fileoperator.aspx?child=1&a=D3B60E43-50D3-46D5-A799-2C3CECF14238&ro=1&fid=13728646727690992504_9832503603610834240\">2023 Bay Area Council poll\u003c/a> found three-fourths of respondents would make that a high priority. Four out of five agreed that people who violate BART’s code of conduct — rules that prohibit smoking, eating, and playing loud music, among other things — should be ejected from the system. And more than two-thirds of respondents said they thought BART should focus exclusively on running a clean, safe and reliable transit operation — while letting other public agencies deal with people in crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Debora Allen, a BART Board director, is among that majority. A staunch supporter of tougher law enforcement within the system, Allen was one of just two board members who voted against forming the Progressive Policing Bureau. And she remains dubious of its benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Look, no one wants to help people who are down and out and in crisis more than me. I think all of us on that board have the same interest,” she says. But “transit isn’t the place to start social service programs. We have counties and cities who receive hundreds of millions of dollars each year to do this social service work. We should remain focused on transit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979246\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11979246 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A Narcan case on someone's belt.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-08-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stephine Barnes and other crisis intervention specialists always carry Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Allen argues that BART is using scarce dollars to deliver services to people inside the system, all but incentivizing them to stay there, while offering little in the way of data to show if the program is actually helping people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What I have argued all along is our first line of defense should be to keep those people out of the system,” Allen says, decrying BART’s failure to clamp down on rampant fare evasion. \u003cb>“\u003c/b>Having them wandering and sometimes even living inside of a transit system with active moving trains all the time is the most dangerous place for them to decide to live.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘We are definitely needed’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At Lake Merritt station, Barnes and Robinson are dispatched to a Dublin-Pleasanton-bound train that’s been stalled on the platform after a man reportedly flung a bag of feces-caked laundry around the first car.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>So it was all over the train car. They say he wiped it out, but it definitely needs disinfecting,” Robinson says after speaking with the train operator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They calmly head up the stairs and out of the station in pursuit of the man and spend about five minutes looking for him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>“\u003c/b>We don’t see him anywhere. We always make an attempt to try to find somebody,” says Robinson, who had hoped to refer him to a shower and laundry truck that serves the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To do this job successfully, she says, it’s important to not get too emotionally involved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, my personal outlook and training is that, you know, this is their life, their problems, their choices,” Robinson says. “So I can’t dwell necessarily on the feelings that are so associated with seeing so much human misery.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11979243\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11979243\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two people in dark-blue uniforms talk to a BART train conductor.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/03/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-04-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART Crisis Intervention Specialists Natalie Robinson (center) and Stephine Barnes speak to a BART train conductor about a man who had been causing a disturbance on the train. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But Robinson says the support she and her team offer can be a game changer — if and when people actually accept it. She recounts trying to build a relationship, over months, with a young man she often saw riding the trains in her zone, obviously intoxicated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And then one day, he came and asked for us and said he was ready for recovery,” she says. “He needed somebody to dial the phone for him. He needed somebody to talk to his dad for him. He was literally at his lowest point in his life. And you need a hand in those moments.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She paused, waiting for the whine of a departing train to fade.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So yeah, we are definitely needed,” she says. “There needs to be a 100 of us, not just 20.”\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11985965/we-approach-in-peace-are-barts-outreach-efforts-to-help-people-in-crisis-working",
"authors": [
"1263"
],
"categories": [
"news_457",
"news_6266",
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_17725",
"news_27626",
"news_18543",
"news_4020",
"news_19903",
"news_20517"
],
"featImg": "news_11979244",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11980161": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11980161",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11980161",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1710978178000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1710978178,
"format": "standard",
"title": "BART Fraud Watchdog Uncovers Worker Time-Card Scams",
"headTitle": "BART Fraud Watchdog Uncovers Worker Time-Card Scams | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>BART’s independent fraud watchdog said it has uncovered several new cases in which employees clocked in for work shifts but then spent their time elsewhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency’s inspector general’s office said in \u003ca href=\"https://www.bartoig.org/files/b17a37941/More+Time+Theft+Cases+-+Cause+for+Concern.pdf\">a report released Monday\u003c/a> that it had substantiated allegations against three workers who were not cleared to work remotely and whose jobs were “not conducive” to off-site work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The report, which was accompanied by \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/r6m4VKTCJJ4\">a YouTube animation\u003c/a> summarizing the findings, said the workers were found to be at home “during much or portions of their paid duty hours.” The office said BART’s total monetary loss was at least $9,004 and perhaps much higher.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://youtu.be/r6m4VKTCJJ4\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The employees claimed to be working 10-hour shifts and would report to their duty locations for brief periods but would then leave for their private residence,” the report said. It added that “despite the employees often not being at their work locations or performing their duties,” each collected regular pay, overtime and even double-time for working holidays. They also received pension, vacation time and other benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Claudette Biemeret, Inspector General, BART\"]‘Time theft is damaging to BART’s reputation, particularly when evidence supports it was not an isolated event.’[/pullquote]The office said one of the three workers retired when BART police confronted him with evidence of wrongdoing. That employee now faces criminal fraud charges in San Mateo County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other two employees reportedly admitted to violating agency policy before the matter was referred to police. The report said BART management is investigating their cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The watchdog’s office has found a total of five cases of “time theft” at the 3,500-worker agency since early last year. In one case, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/REPORT_BART%20Employee%20Collected%20Pay%20and%20Benefits%20for%20Time%20Not%20Worked_Final_020323.pdf\">reported in February 2023\u003c/a>, the inspector general found an employee had claimed to work 80 hours or more a week despite frequently failing to report for duty. In a case reported in September, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bartoig.org/files/6697f3629/RPT_Summary+of+Misconduct+Investigations_090823.pdf\">watchdog found\u003c/a> only that an employee had been spending their on-duty hours in their personal vehicle and not working — an issue the inspector general said the worker’s supervisor had already addressed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=\"news_11967897,news_11971332,news_11956833\" label=\"Related Stories\"]Inspector General Claudette Biemeret said in this week’s report that the latest findings “indicate a lack of sufficient oversight by supervisors and managers” who approve workers’ time reports. She called on agency management to improve its system of verifying time worked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Biemeret added that time theft damages BART beyond the financial losses involved. Such misconduct erodes morale among employees who obey workplace rules and casts a shadow on BART’s public image.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Time theft is damaging to BART’s reputation, particularly, when evidence supports it was not an isolated event,” Biemeret wrote. “Legislators and taxpayers are less likely to support public funding when they believe the district cannot be entrusted with their funds.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public confidence in the agency is crucial at a time when it’s facing a crushing deficit and is preparing to join in a campaign to persuade voters to pass a tax measure that will support the region’s 27 transit agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a formal response that was part of the inspector general’s report, BART said the affected department would issue a “standard operating procedure” including check-ins and check-outs at the beginning and end of shifts on BART property. Supervisors will also make random site visits during work shifts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alicia Trost, BART’s chief communications officer, acknowledged in a statement that time theft “undermines our credibility with the public.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are working in partnership with the Office of the Inspector General to reaffirm our commitment to respond to, and prevent, waste, fraud and abuse, Trost said. “Our employees are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The Office of the Inspector General plays a critical role in ensuring a culture of accountability.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 696,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 16
},
"modified": 1710978956,
"excerpt": "A report from the transit agency’s inspector general finds that three employees clocked in for their shifts and then spent work time at home.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "A report from the transit agency’s inspector general finds that three employees clocked in for their shifts and then spent work time at home.",
"title": "BART Fraud Watchdog Uncovers Worker Time-Card Scams | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART Fraud Watchdog Uncovers Worker Time-Card Scams",
"datePublished": "2024-03-20T16:42:58-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-03-20T16:55:56-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bart-fraud-watchdog-uncovers-worker-time-card-scams",
"status": "publish",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"sticky": false,
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11980161/bart-fraud-watchdog-uncovers-worker-time-card-scams",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>BART’s independent fraud watchdog said it has uncovered several new cases in which employees clocked in for work shifts but then spent their time elsewhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency’s inspector general’s office said in \u003ca href=\"https://www.bartoig.org/files/b17a37941/More+Time+Theft+Cases+-+Cause+for+Concern.pdf\">a report released Monday\u003c/a> that it had substantiated allegations against three workers who were not cleared to work remotely and whose jobs were “not conducive” to off-site work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The report, which was accompanied by \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/r6m4VKTCJJ4\">a YouTube animation\u003c/a> summarizing the findings, said the workers were found to be at home “during much or portions of their paid duty hours.” The office said BART’s total monetary loss was at least $9,004 and perhaps much higher.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/r6m4VKTCJJ4'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/r6m4VKTCJJ4'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>“The employees claimed to be working 10-hour shifts and would report to their duty locations for brief periods but would then leave for their private residence,” the report said. It added that “despite the employees often not being at their work locations or performing their duties,” each collected regular pay, overtime and even double-time for working holidays. They also received pension, vacation time and other benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘Time theft is damaging to BART’s reputation, particularly when evidence supports it was not an isolated event.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Claudette Biemeret, Inspector General, BART",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The office said one of the three workers retired when BART police confronted him with evidence of wrongdoing. That employee now faces criminal fraud charges in San Mateo County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other two employees reportedly admitted to violating agency policy before the matter was referred to police. The report said BART management is investigating their cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The watchdog’s office has found a total of five cases of “time theft” at the 3,500-worker agency since early last year. In one case, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/REPORT_BART%20Employee%20Collected%20Pay%20and%20Benefits%20for%20Time%20Not%20Worked_Final_020323.pdf\">reported in February 2023\u003c/a>, the inspector general found an employee had claimed to work 80 hours or more a week despite frequently failing to report for duty. In a case reported in September, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bartoig.org/files/6697f3629/RPT_Summary+of+Misconduct+Investigations_090823.pdf\">watchdog found\u003c/a> only that an employee had been spending their on-duty hours in their personal vehicle and not working — an issue the inspector general said the worker’s supervisor had already addressed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11967897,news_11971332,news_11956833",
"label": "Related Stories "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Inspector General Claudette Biemeret said in this week’s report that the latest findings “indicate a lack of sufficient oversight by supervisors and managers” who approve workers’ time reports. She called on agency management to improve its system of verifying time worked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Biemeret added that time theft damages BART beyond the financial losses involved. Such misconduct erodes morale among employees who obey workplace rules and casts a shadow on BART’s public image.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Time theft is damaging to BART’s reputation, particularly, when evidence supports it was not an isolated event,” Biemeret wrote. “Legislators and taxpayers are less likely to support public funding when they believe the district cannot be entrusted with their funds.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Public confidence in the agency is crucial at a time when it’s facing a crushing deficit and is preparing to join in a campaign to persuade voters to pass a tax measure that will support the region’s 27 transit agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a formal response that was part of the inspector general’s report, BART said the affected department would issue a “standard operating procedure” including check-ins and check-outs at the beginning and end of shifts on BART property. Supervisors will also make random site visits during work shifts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alicia Trost, BART’s chief communications officer, acknowledged in a statement that time theft “undermines our credibility with the public.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are working in partnership with the Office of the Inspector General to reaffirm our commitment to respond to, and prevent, waste, fraud and abuse, Trost said. “Our employees are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The Office of the Inspector General plays a critical role in ensuring a culture of accountability.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11980161/bart-fraud-watchdog-uncovers-worker-time-card-scams",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_23052",
"news_4500"
],
"featImg": "news_11980183",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11971332": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11971332",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11971332",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1704177473000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1704177473,
"format": "standard",
"title": "BART Restores Normal Service After Derailment and Fire Near Orinda",
"headTitle": "BART Restores Normal Service After Derailment and Fire Near Orinda | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 9 a.m. Tuesday:\u003c/strong> BART has restored service to its busiest corridor after successfully removing a pair of train cars that derailed near Orinda early Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The derailment was followed by a brief fire that involved the two cars. They were part of an eight-car train on the first eastbound run of 2024 between San Francisco International Airport and Antioch, a route BART designates as its Yellow Line.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The derailment blocked westbound and eastbound tracks, forcing BART to rely on the AC Transit and County Connection bus agencies to ferry passengers between Rockridge and Walnut Creek stations and stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART hired a massive industrial crane to “re-rail” the cars that went off the track so they could be moved, an operation that required shutting down two lanes of Highway 24 just east of Orinda until late Monday evening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/KCBSAMFMTraffic/status/1741992201544954179\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a Monday night update\u003c/a>, BART said the re-railed cars were en route to a train yard, and crews were repairing trackside damage. While the agency said it would continue to rely on local bus agencies to carry passengers in the shutdown area Monday night, “We hope for normal train service between Walnut Creek and Rockridge tomorrow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency announced at 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday that normal service was resuming on its Antioch-SFO route.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Monday’s derailment and fire occurred when a train operator attempted to manually reset a switch along the tracks just east of the Orinda station. Further details of that sequence of events, which BART said are under investigation, are reported in our original post below.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/LuisC_Marin/status/1741875786934886429\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Original post, last updated at 2:15 p.m. Monday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Service on BART’s busiest line has been disrupted indefinitely in the wake of a Monday morning train derailment that sparked a fire aboard two train cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART said the low-speed derailment and fire occurred just after 9 a.m. Monday, and it involved an eastbound Antioch (Yellow Line) train just east of the Orinda station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART spokesperson Jim Allison said all passengers aboard the eight-car train had been evacuated safely and that the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department had extinguished the fire. Allison said he didn’t know how many passengers were aboard the train, one of the first to run on New Year’s morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fire agency spokesperson Dennis Rein said a total of nine people had been transported to Contra Costa County hospitals with minor injuries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rein had no information on the extent of the injuries but said reports from the scene indicated that all those affected could walk on their own.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said the sequence of events that led to the derailment began just after the train left Orinda headed for Lafayette.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An unspecified problem with signaling equipment along the track between the two stations required the train to stop at an interlocking — a point where the train could cross over from one track to the other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to BART dispatch tapes, at 8:49 a.m., the train operator was instructed to climb down from the train and manually reset switches, allowing her train to pass through the interlocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That process took about 15 minutes, and after twice confirming with a train controller at the BART operations center that the equipment was correctly aligned, the operator was given clearance to pass through the interlocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The operator told the controller she sensed trouble as soon as the train moved forward.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I haven’t crossed over all the way,” she told the train controller. “I’m right in the middle, but I stopped because I felt my train going the other way.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While walking back through the train, the operator reported two of the cars on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The train operator reported that the flames died down quickly. \u003ca href=\"https://abc7news.com/bart-derail-train-car-fire-orinda-fd-antioch-line-delays/14255385/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Images from a news helicopter over the scene\u003c/a> showed one car stopped at an angle across the tracks. One side of the vehicle appeared to be scorched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response to the incident, the California Highway Patrol shut down all lanes of Highway 24 adjacent to the site of the blaze to give emergency responders access to the scene. The freeway was mostly reopened by 11 a.m., with only the two left lanes in the eastbound direction remaining closed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Robert Prinz, policy director for Bike East Bay, said on social media he was among those forced to evacuate the train.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/prinzrob/status/1741876273419620376\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a post on X, Prinz said he heard no announcement that there was trouble on the train until “passengers from the front of the train started running through our middle car to the back and letting everyone know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We had no idea if the train was being evacuated if we needed to leave our bikes, or what,” Prinz wrote. “Luckily, all the passengers seemed to keep their cool, and nobody panicked. But the lack of any information could have made everything much worse.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/prinzrob/status/1741942368360886349\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART was turning around westbound Antioch-SFO trains at Walnut Creek; eastbound trains were going no further than Rockridge in North Oakland. The agency said AC Transit provided a free bus bridge between Rockridge and Walnut Creek in both directions, making all station stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because the train involved in Monday’s incident stopped in the middle of the interlocking, it’s effectively blocking both westbound and eastbound tracks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said the agency was still trying to decide how to move the disabled train. “It may require getting a crane from another entity,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bottom line is that we’re not going to have train service on the Yellow Line between Lafayette and Orinda until further notice,” Allison said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said BART’s system safety department will conduct “a thorough investigation” of the incident. The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates passenger rail services, is also expected to investigate.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1017,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 32
},
"modified": 1704226017,
"excerpt": "Nine passengers suffered minor injuries when two cars of an eastbound train left tracks near Orinda station and briefly caught fire. ",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "Nine passengers suffered minor injuries when two cars of an eastbound train left tracks near Orinda station and briefly caught fire. ",
"title": "BART Restores Normal Service After Derailment and Fire Near Orinda | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART Restores Normal Service After Derailment and Fire Near Orinda",
"datePublished": "2024-01-01T22:37:53-08:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-02T12:06:57-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bart-cars-catch-fire-after-train-derails-near-orinda-highway-24-shut-down",
"status": "publish",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"sticky": false,
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11971332/bart-cars-catch-fire-after-train-derails-near-orinda-highway-24-shut-down",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 9 a.m. Tuesday:\u003c/strong> BART has restored service to its busiest corridor after successfully removing a pair of train cars that derailed near Orinda early Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The derailment was followed by a brief fire that involved the two cars. They were part of an eight-car train on the first eastbound run of 2024 between San Francisco International Airport and Antioch, a route BART designates as its Yellow Line.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The derailment blocked westbound and eastbound tracks, forcing BART to rely on the AC Transit and County Connection bus agencies to ferry passengers between Rockridge and Walnut Creek stations and stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART hired a massive industrial crane to “re-rail” the cars that went off the track so they could be moved, an operation that required shutting down two lanes of Highway 24 just east of Orinda until late Monday evening.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1741992201544954179"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a Monday night update\u003c/a>, BART said the re-railed cars were en route to a train yard, and crews were repairing trackside damage. While the agency said it would continue to rely on local bus agencies to carry passengers in the shutdown area Monday night, “We hope for normal train service between Walnut Creek and Rockridge tomorrow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency announced at 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday that normal service was resuming on its Antioch-SFO route.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Monday’s derailment and fire occurred when a train operator attempted to manually reset a switch along the tracks just east of the Orinda station. Further details of that sequence of events, which BART said are under investigation, are reported in our original post below.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1741875786934886429"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Original post, last updated at 2:15 p.m. Monday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Service on BART’s busiest line has been disrupted indefinitely in the wake of a Monday morning train derailment that sparked a fire aboard two train cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART said the low-speed derailment and fire occurred just after 9 a.m. Monday, and it involved an eastbound Antioch (Yellow Line) train just east of the Orinda station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART spokesperson Jim Allison said all passengers aboard the eight-car train had been evacuated safely and that the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department had extinguished the fire. Allison said he didn’t know how many passengers were aboard the train, one of the first to run on New Year’s morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fire agency spokesperson Dennis Rein said a total of nine people had been transported to Contra Costa County hospitals with minor injuries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rein had no information on the extent of the injuries but said reports from the scene indicated that all those affected could walk on their own.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said the sequence of events that led to the derailment began just after the train left Orinda headed for Lafayette.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An unspecified problem with signaling equipment along the track between the two stations required the train to stop at an interlocking — a point where the train could cross over from one track to the other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to BART dispatch tapes, at 8:49 a.m., the train operator was instructed to climb down from the train and manually reset switches, allowing her train to pass through the interlocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That process took about 15 minutes, and after twice confirming with a train controller at the BART operations center that the equipment was correctly aligned, the operator was given clearance to pass through the interlocking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The operator told the controller she sensed trouble as soon as the train moved forward.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I haven’t crossed over all the way,” she told the train controller. “I’m right in the middle, but I stopped because I felt my train going the other way.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While walking back through the train, the operator reported two of the cars on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The train operator reported that the flames died down quickly. \u003ca href=\"https://abc7news.com/bart-derail-train-car-fire-orinda-fd-antioch-line-delays/14255385/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Images from a news helicopter over the scene\u003c/a> showed one car stopped at an angle across the tracks. One side of the vehicle appeared to be scorched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In response to the incident, the California Highway Patrol shut down all lanes of Highway 24 adjacent to the site of the blaze to give emergency responders access to the scene. The freeway was mostly reopened by 11 a.m., with only the two left lanes in the eastbound direction remaining closed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Robert Prinz, policy director for Bike East Bay, said on social media he was among those forced to evacuate the train.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1741876273419620376"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>In a post on X, Prinz said he heard no announcement that there was trouble on the train until “passengers from the front of the train started running through our middle car to the back and letting everyone know.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We had no idea if the train was being evacuated if we needed to leave our bikes, or what,” Prinz wrote. “Luckily, all the passengers seemed to keep their cool, and nobody panicked. But the lack of any information could have made everything much worse.”\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1741942368360886349"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>BART was turning around westbound Antioch-SFO trains at Walnut Creek; eastbound trains were going no further than Rockridge in North Oakland. The agency said AC Transit provided a free bus bridge between Rockridge and Walnut Creek in both directions, making all station stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because the train involved in Monday’s incident stopped in the middle of the interlocking, it’s effectively blocking both westbound and eastbound tracks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said the agency was still trying to decide how to move the disabled train. “It may require getting a crane from another entity,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bottom line is that we’re not going to have train service on the Yellow Line between Lafayette and Orinda until further notice,” Allison said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allison said BART’s system safety department will conduct “a thorough investigation” of the incident. The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates passenger rail services, is also expected to investigate.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11971332/bart-cars-catch-fire-after-train-derails-near-orinda-highway-24-shut-down",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_33701",
"news_33700",
"news_26944",
"news_33699"
],
"featImg": "news_11971333",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11968486": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11968486",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11968486",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1701255606000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1701255606,
"format": "audio",
"title": "The Bay’s November News Roundup: Transit Funding, Prison Wages, and Tupac Shakur Way",
"headTitle": "The Bay’s November News Roundup: Transit Funding, Prison Wages, and Tupac Shakur Way | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup (our last one of the year!), Ericka, Maria and Alan talk about how public transit agencies have temporarily averted a fiscal cliff, a proposal to increase the minimum wage for incarcerated workers, and the newly unveiled Tupac Shakur Way in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links: \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/liveblog/bay-area-transportation-news#in-transit-why-a-transportation-and-transit-blog\">In Transit: Bay Area Transportation News on Everything That Moves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>KQED: \u003c/b>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967728/california-prison-officials-aim-to-raise-hourly-minimum-wage-to-at-least-16-cents\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">California Prison Officials Aim to Raise Hourly Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Workers — to at Least 16 Cents\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>KQED:\u003c/b>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13937563/tupac-shakur-way-oakland-street-renaming\"> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘Tupac Shakur Way’ Unveiled in Oakland as Rap Icon Gets His Own Street\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=KQINC9612865389\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra and welcome to the bay. Local news to keep you rooted. And it’s time for our November news roundup. That time of the month where I sit down with the rest of the Bay team to discuss some of the stories that we’ve been following this month. I’ll have you all introduce yourselves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Hi, this is Alan Montecillo and I’m the senior editor of the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>And I’m Maria Esquinca, and I’m the producer for the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And we are. I feel like in kind of the middle of holiday season, I feel like a lot of people are definitely feeling like, let’s just get to the holidays, y’all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yeah. Another busy news month. We had APEC in town was APEC epic. I’ll let you all decide that the news cycle keeps going, but for a lot of people too, it’s it’s just trying to get through the last few weeks before the winter holidays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And it’s cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>It’s so cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>It is so cold. I just want to, like, stay in my bed and cuddle with my big old cat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>It’s Bay Area cold, but it is cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>It’s cozy season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>It is. And this is also probably going to be our last news roundup of the year, actually. And so let’s kick it off. Alan, I want to start with you. You got some good news about Barton Muni, which I feel like we don’t get much of these days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yeah, good news for people who like transit. Bart and the S.F. MTA and transit agencies across the region have avoided the devastating fiscal cliff for now. Basically, the state legislature approved $1.1 billion for transit agencies across the state, $352 million for Bart, $308 million for Muni for the next two fiscal years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>This is, of course, been a huge problem, especially since the pandemic, which really impacted services like Bart. So what exactly is this money going to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Essentially my understanding is this is just there to keep services afloat. Ever since pandemic relief funding ran out and frankly, ever since the pandemic caused such a huge drop off in ridership. You know, agencies that are so reliant on fares are just facing huge budget deficits. And so without money to close those gaps, our agencies would likely have to make major cuts in service. That would probably reduce ridership, which would probably reduce revenue, which would probably result in cuts to service and on and on and on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Okay. So this sounds like a lot of money that’s going to help the agencies for now. But are there any strings attached?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yes. And I think this is the interesting part of it. In order to access these funds, all transit agencies, not just Bart and SFO, to have to do a few things. One is that they have to continue to follow through with efforts across the region to basically increase coordination among all the transit agencies. So there’s already work around things like getting the schedules integrated, changing the payment system. We’re going to be soon moving to a system where you don’t have to have a clipper card to pay. You can actually use your debit card or credit card.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>They also must submit reports on what they’re going to continue to do to improve public safety. As we know, that’s been a major concern among many riders. And then there’s another provision which is specific to Bart, which is that they must complete their work on replacing their fare gates, more than 700 fare gates specifically. This is a measure to stop fare evasion. So Bart is and must continue to replace them with fare gates that are bigger, that are basically harder to jump over. They have to complete that work by 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So these millions of dollars, they’re going to last until 2026. But what is going to happen to these agencies after that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Well, the timing of this is interesting because this money is allocated for the next two fiscal years. It’s not a long term structural solution to keeping transit agencies afloat. It kicks the can down the road. Many people, including members of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which is the agency that oversees transit in the Bay Area, have already floated the idea of a ballot measure in 2026 that could raise up to $1 billion for transit agencies. So essentially, Bart and Muni especially are kind of on the clock for the next few years to make these improvements, to basically make the case to the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>We’ve talked about this before, that, hey, we should continue to fund transit. Who knows, right. In 2026, maybe people will say, hey, like, you know, Bart and Muni are back, it’s clean and feel safe and maybe people will want to reward that. Or maybe it won’t. This is sort of the beginning of what I think is 2 to 3 year window for transit to really, I think, make the case to voters and to legislators that transit should continue to be funded and that taxpayers should continue to help keep the agencies afloat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, definitely something we’re going to be following here on the bay. And also, I wanted to just shout out Dan Brekke, our transportation editor here at KQED, who’s actually got a new live blog about transportation news. And everything that moves in the Bay Area is called In Transit. We’ll also leave a link in our show notes to that new blog. All right, Alan, thank you so much for that one. Coming up after the break, we’re going to talk about a proposal to pay working inmates more in California prisons. And Tupac Shakur, way in Oakland. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Maria, I want to move on to you. What story have you been following this month?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So the story that I’ve been following is a proposal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, commonly known as CDCr. And they’re proposing to increase wages for prisoners. What they have is a piece schedule. And this pay schedule is divided based on the way they categorize skills. And they’re starting at the lowest skill from $0.08 an hour to $0.16 an hour. The highest wage increase we would see is people that get paid $0.37 an hour would get paid $0.74 an hour.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>What are these wages for? I assume they’re for jobs. What kinds of jobs are we talking about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah, so we’re talking about jobs that people do in state prisons, and that can vary from maintenance jobs to custodial jobs to food to critical service. And based on all these different types of of jobs, people are categorized into various skill levels or specialized kind of skills and that determines their wages. And so what this proposal will do is double it for every skill level that people are categorized in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Why is this happening?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So CDCr is saying that the reason they’re proposing these wage increases is to help workers retain their jobs. That will help support their rehabilitation, that it’ll give them greater buying power. And some prisoners have to do what is called restitution payments, which is money that they pay back to the state for their crime. And so they’re also arguing that this will help them meet those payments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Okay. So, Maria, this is what CDCr is proposing, but what do advocacy groups think of this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Farida Jhabvala Romero who reported the story for KQED, spoke to Lawrence Cox, who worked as an inmate in California state prisons for seven years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>The jobs I did were behind the wall in the kitchen, helping prepare food for the entire prison complex. I did janitorial services sanitizing the area, the showers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>He talks about what people use this money for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>Food, I need hygiene. Of course they feed us. But if anyone knows that’s been there, the food is deplorable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>And he also says that this proposal is shameful. This sort of increase is still nothing about the money that they make in prison was already not enough to cover any of these things. He talks about how people in prison want to also support their family and that the wages that they make already are not enough. And this increase is really, in his words, shameful to continue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>The practices of. Exploiting individuals is deplorable. Like it’s sorry. Give me an increase in 16 cent. I still I still can’t do anything with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, I guess, what do you think we should make of this story then, Maria? I mean, we we really are still talking about nickels and dimes here, people getting paid. I mean, like not even a dollar an hour for their work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah. I think I also struggled with like, how to interpret this because I think at face value it seems like in like proposal to increase someone’s wages seems like a great idea. But I think like critics who are following this story, who work in prison reform or who advocate for prisoners, call this proposal grossly insufficient. They also argue that they’re not sure how people in prison will even make more money because part of this proposal is to cut most of these full time jobs into part time jobs. There has been a lot of criticism about prisons in general, and there has been a lot of conversations about abolition.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>I think this story scratches at the surface of conditions that might seem to better the lives of prisoners. But at the end of the day, we’re still talking about a pay schedule that has remained unchanged for the past 30 years. And so I think we’re it sort of returns us to the same place where we began, where there’s people that are like Lauren’s that rejected the idea that this is going to better the lives of people in prison in any way. And so I think it forces us to, again, think of what would actually better the lives of people in prison and what do people in prison actually want?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And lastly, we have my story out of Oakland, where earlier this month, in a star studded ceremony, Tupac Shakur Way was unveiled near Lake Merritt along a portion of MacArthur Boulevard where Tupac Shakur lived in the early 90s. There were a bunch of folks there, E-40, M.C. Hammer and even members of Tupac Shakur’s family, including his siblings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>So Tupac born in New York. But I think a lot of people also probably know about his Bay Area ties. I’m sure some of that came up at the ceremony as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Yeah. I mean, like you said, Tupac was born in New York City, but he lived in a bunch of different cities throughout his life, like Baltimore, famously Marin City, Santa Rosa, Richmond, Los Angeles. But Tupac kind of famously claimed Oakland in a 1993 interview as the place where he says that he learned the game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tupac Shakur: \u003c/strong>The game is now one person. The game is just end. Game is ending. It was just a rough year. Somebody just woke it up inside me, you know what I’m saying? Like the lack of religion. And I just saw it and I saw it in Oakland. I saw it living in Oakland. I saw it thriving in Oakland. And that’s that was never no other city I lived in. So I give all my love to Oakland. If I’m acclaimed somewhere, I’m a claim Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>So this effort to name a street after Tupac was actually spearheaded by his sister, a council member, Carol Fife, hip hop historian Leroy McCarthy, and one of Tupac’s closest friends, Ray Love, who really talked about how Oakland had a huge influence on his artistic development and also his political mindset. His mom was part of the Black Panther Party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>His friends and family say that Oakland is really where the birth of hip hop was based for them, especially around digital underground. And also, Tupac famously sued the Oakland Police Department in 1991 after they allegedly slammed and arrested him for jaywalking. He just has a lot of roots here. And as you heard in that clip, he gives all his love to Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Tupac is also really known for his political outspokenness. I’m curious how you’re thinking of him in a moment like this as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Yeah, I mean, we’ve seen a lot of other hip hop legends being honored in this way all around the Bay Area. We had E-40 in Vallejo. He had to store in East Oakland. And at the ceremony, you heard a lot of people really wanting to honor Tupac’s importance to Oakland, but also hip hop culture at large, especially in this 50th anniversary of hip hop this year. And Councilmember Carroll Fife actually talked about how the naming of this street honoring Tupac is really about preserving some of what Tupac was trying to tell us back in the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carroll Fife: \u003c/strong>He said Oakland gave him his game. Right. And it’s done that for a lot of us, Right. It’s done that for a lot of us. So let’s remember the game that it gave. Let’s remember we got to pour into our city. We got to pour into solutions. We got to pour into what we know he stood for, regardless of what the press and everybody else was trying. And we loved him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>This idea of really kind of pouring into solutions at a time where there is just so much conflict going on in the world and really honoring some of the things that he really stood for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Music] \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>All right. And this is, again, probably our last news roundup of the year. Maria Elena and I, we really tried a new thing with this, so we’ll probably keep doing that next year. Hope you liked them as much as we did to John. Enjoy doing these little roundups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Oh yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>It’s fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>No, it’s been fun. It’s nice to get to shake up the format a little bit and to make more space for four more stories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah. And it’s always nice talking to the two of you in person and chatting, and I hope listeners enjoy it as much as we have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Right. Alan and Maria, thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Thanks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra. The Bay is a production of member supported KQED in San Francisco. Thank you for listening.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": true,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 2833,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 64
},
"modified": 1702492913,
"excerpt": null,
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "View the full episode transcript. In this edition of The Bay's monthly news roundup (our last one of the year!), Ericka, Maria and Alan talk about how public transit agencies have temporarily averted a fiscal cliff, a proposal to increase the minimum wage for incarcerated workers, and the newly unveiled Tupac Shakur Way in Oakland. Links: In Transit: Bay Area Transportation News on Everything That Moves KQED: California Prison Officials Aim to Raise Hourly Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Workers — to at Least 16 Cents KQED: 'Tupac Shakur Way' Unveiled in Oakland as Rap Icon Gets His Own Street Episode",
"title": "The Bay’s November News Roundup: Transit Funding, Prison Wages, and Tupac Shakur Way | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "The Bay’s November News Roundup: Transit Funding, Prison Wages, and Tupac Shakur Way",
"datePublished": "2023-11-29T03:00:06-08:00",
"dateModified": "2023-12-13T10:41:53-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "the-bays-november-news-roundup-bart-bailout-prison-wages-tupac-shakur-way",
"status": "publish",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/G6C7C3/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC9612865389.mp3?updated=1701208122",
"audioUrl": "https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/G6C7C3/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC9612865389.mp3?updated=1701208122",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"sticky": false,
"source": "The Bay",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11968486/the-bays-november-news-roundup-bart-bailout-prison-wages-tupac-shakur-way",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup (our last one of the year!), Ericka, Maria and Alan talk about how public transit agencies have temporarily averted a fiscal cliff, a proposal to increase the minimum wage for incarcerated workers, and the newly unveiled Tupac Shakur Way in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Links: \u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/liveblog/bay-area-transportation-news#in-transit-why-a-transportation-and-transit-blog\">In Transit: Bay Area Transportation News on Everything That Moves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>KQED: \u003c/b>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967728/california-prison-officials-aim-to-raise-hourly-minimum-wage-to-at-least-16-cents\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">California Prison Officials Aim to Raise Hourly Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Workers — to at Least 16 Cents\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>KQED:\u003c/b>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13937563/tupac-shakur-way-oakland-street-renaming\"> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘Tupac Shakur Way’ Unveiled in Oakland as Rap Icon Gets His Own Street\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=KQINC9612865389\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-content post-body\">\u003ch2 id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra and welcome to the bay. Local news to keep you rooted. And it’s time for our November news roundup. That time of the month where I sit down with the rest of the Bay team to discuss some of the stories that we’ve been following this month. I’ll have you all introduce yourselves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Hi, this is Alan Montecillo and I’m the senior editor of the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>And I’m Maria Esquinca, and I’m the producer for the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And we are. I feel like in kind of the middle of holiday season, I feel like a lot of people are definitely feeling like, let’s just get to the holidays, y’all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yeah. Another busy news month. We had APEC in town was APEC epic. I’ll let you all decide that the news cycle keeps going, but for a lot of people too, it’s it’s just trying to get through the last few weeks before the winter holidays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And it’s cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>It’s so cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>It is so cold. I just want to, like, stay in my bed and cuddle with my big old cat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>It’s Bay Area cold, but it is cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>It’s cozy season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>It is. And this is also probably going to be our last news roundup of the year, actually. And so let’s kick it off. Alan, I want to start with you. You got some good news about Barton Muni, which I feel like we don’t get much of these days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yeah, good news for people who like transit. Bart and the S.F. MTA and transit agencies across the region have avoided the devastating fiscal cliff for now. Basically, the state legislature approved $1.1 billion for transit agencies across the state, $352 million for Bart, $308 million for Muni for the next two fiscal years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>This is, of course, been a huge problem, especially since the pandemic, which really impacted services like Bart. So what exactly is this money going to do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Essentially my understanding is this is just there to keep services afloat. Ever since pandemic relief funding ran out and frankly, ever since the pandemic caused such a huge drop off in ridership. You know, agencies that are so reliant on fares are just facing huge budget deficits. And so without money to close those gaps, our agencies would likely have to make major cuts in service. That would probably reduce ridership, which would probably reduce revenue, which would probably result in cuts to service and on and on and on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Okay. So this sounds like a lot of money that’s going to help the agencies for now. But are there any strings attached?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Yes. And I think this is the interesting part of it. In order to access these funds, all transit agencies, not just Bart and SFO, to have to do a few things. One is that they have to continue to follow through with efforts across the region to basically increase coordination among all the transit agencies. So there’s already work around things like getting the schedules integrated, changing the payment system. We’re going to be soon moving to a system where you don’t have to have a clipper card to pay. You can actually use your debit card or credit card.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>They also must submit reports on what they’re going to continue to do to improve public safety. As we know, that’s been a major concern among many riders. And then there’s another provision which is specific to Bart, which is that they must complete their work on replacing their fare gates, more than 700 fare gates specifically. This is a measure to stop fare evasion. So Bart is and must continue to replace them with fare gates that are bigger, that are basically harder to jump over. They have to complete that work by 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So these millions of dollars, they’re going to last until 2026. But what is going to happen to these agencies after that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Well, the timing of this is interesting because this money is allocated for the next two fiscal years. It’s not a long term structural solution to keeping transit agencies afloat. It kicks the can down the road. Many people, including members of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which is the agency that oversees transit in the Bay Area, have already floated the idea of a ballot measure in 2026 that could raise up to $1 billion for transit agencies. So essentially, Bart and Muni especially are kind of on the clock for the next few years to make these improvements, to basically make the case to the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>We’ve talked about this before, that, hey, we should continue to fund transit. Who knows, right. In 2026, maybe people will say, hey, like, you know, Bart and Muni are back, it’s clean and feel safe and maybe people will want to reward that. Or maybe it won’t. This is sort of the beginning of what I think is 2 to 3 year window for transit to really, I think, make the case to voters and to legislators that transit should continue to be funded and that taxpayers should continue to help keep the agencies afloat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, definitely something we’re going to be following here on the bay. And also, I wanted to just shout out Dan Brekke, our transportation editor here at KQED, who’s actually got a new live blog about transportation news. And everything that moves in the Bay Area is called In Transit. We’ll also leave a link in our show notes to that new blog. All right, Alan, thank you so much for that one. Coming up after the break, we’re going to talk about a proposal to pay working inmates more in California prisons. And Tupac Shakur, way in Oakland. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Maria, I want to move on to you. What story have you been following this month?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So the story that I’ve been following is a proposal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, commonly known as CDCr. And they’re proposing to increase wages for prisoners. What they have is a piece schedule. And this pay schedule is divided based on the way they categorize skills. And they’re starting at the lowest skill from $0.08 an hour to $0.16 an hour. The highest wage increase we would see is people that get paid $0.37 an hour would get paid $0.74 an hour.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>What are these wages for? I assume they’re for jobs. What kinds of jobs are we talking about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah, so we’re talking about jobs that people do in state prisons, and that can vary from maintenance jobs to custodial jobs to food to critical service. And based on all these different types of of jobs, people are categorized into various skill levels or specialized kind of skills and that determines their wages. And so what this proposal will do is double it for every skill level that people are categorized in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Why is this happening?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>So CDCr is saying that the reason they’re proposing these wage increases is to help workers retain their jobs. That will help support their rehabilitation, that it’ll give them greater buying power. And some prisoners have to do what is called restitution payments, which is money that they pay back to the state for their crime. And so they’re also arguing that this will help them meet those payments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Okay. So, Maria, this is what CDCr is proposing, but what do advocacy groups think of this?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Farida Jhabvala Romero who reported the story for KQED, spoke to Lawrence Cox, who worked as an inmate in California state prisons for seven years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>The jobs I did were behind the wall in the kitchen, helping prepare food for the entire prison complex. I did janitorial services sanitizing the area, the showers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>He talks about what people use this money for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>Food, I need hygiene. Of course they feed us. But if anyone knows that’s been there, the food is deplorable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>And he also says that this proposal is shameful. This sort of increase is still nothing about the money that they make in prison was already not enough to cover any of these things. He talks about how people in prison want to also support their family and that the wages that they make already are not enough. And this increase is really, in his words, shameful to continue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lawrence Cox: \u003c/strong>The practices of. Exploiting individuals is deplorable. Like it’s sorry. Give me an increase in 16 cent. I still I still can’t do anything with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, I guess, what do you think we should make of this story then, Maria? I mean, we we really are still talking about nickels and dimes here, people getting paid. I mean, like not even a dollar an hour for their work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah. I think I also struggled with like, how to interpret this because I think at face value it seems like in like proposal to increase someone’s wages seems like a great idea. But I think like critics who are following this story, who work in prison reform or who advocate for prisoners, call this proposal grossly insufficient. They also argue that they’re not sure how people in prison will even make more money because part of this proposal is to cut most of these full time jobs into part time jobs. There has been a lot of criticism about prisons in general, and there has been a lot of conversations about abolition.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>I think this story scratches at the surface of conditions that might seem to better the lives of prisoners. But at the end of the day, we’re still talking about a pay schedule that has remained unchanged for the past 30 years. And so I think we’re it sort of returns us to the same place where we began, where there’s people that are like Lauren’s that rejected the idea that this is going to better the lives of people in prison in any way. And so I think it forces us to, again, think of what would actually better the lives of people in prison and what do people in prison actually want?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And lastly, we have my story out of Oakland, where earlier this month, in a star studded ceremony, Tupac Shakur Way was unveiled near Lake Merritt along a portion of MacArthur Boulevard where Tupac Shakur lived in the early 90s. There were a bunch of folks there, E-40, M.C. Hammer and even members of Tupac Shakur’s family, including his siblings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>So Tupac born in New York. But I think a lot of people also probably know about his Bay Area ties. I’m sure some of that came up at the ceremony as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Yeah. I mean, like you said, Tupac was born in New York City, but he lived in a bunch of different cities throughout his life, like Baltimore, famously Marin City, Santa Rosa, Richmond, Los Angeles. But Tupac kind of famously claimed Oakland in a 1993 interview as the place where he says that he learned the game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Tupac Shakur: \u003c/strong>The game is now one person. The game is just end. Game is ending. It was just a rough year. Somebody just woke it up inside me, you know what I’m saying? Like the lack of religion. And I just saw it and I saw it in Oakland. I saw it living in Oakland. I saw it thriving in Oakland. And that’s that was never no other city I lived in. So I give all my love to Oakland. If I’m acclaimed somewhere, I’m a claim Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>So this effort to name a street after Tupac was actually spearheaded by his sister, a council member, Carol Fife, hip hop historian Leroy McCarthy, and one of Tupac’s closest friends, Ray Love, who really talked about how Oakland had a huge influence on his artistic development and also his political mindset. His mom was part of the Black Panther Party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>His friends and family say that Oakland is really where the birth of hip hop was based for them, especially around digital underground. And also, Tupac famously sued the Oakland Police Department in 1991 after they allegedly slammed and arrested him for jaywalking. He just has a lot of roots here. And as you heard in that clip, he gives all his love to Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Tupac is also really known for his political outspokenness. I’m curious how you’re thinking of him in a moment like this as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Yeah, I mean, we’ve seen a lot of other hip hop legends being honored in this way all around the Bay Area. We had E-40 in Vallejo. He had to store in East Oakland. And at the ceremony, you heard a lot of people really wanting to honor Tupac’s importance to Oakland, but also hip hop culture at large, especially in this 50th anniversary of hip hop this year. And Councilmember Carroll Fife actually talked about how the naming of this street honoring Tupac is really about preserving some of what Tupac was trying to tell us back in the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carroll Fife: \u003c/strong>He said Oakland gave him his game. Right. And it’s done that for a lot of us, Right. It’s done that for a lot of us. So let’s remember the game that it gave. Let’s remember we got to pour into our city. We got to pour into solutions. We got to pour into what we know he stood for, regardless of what the press and everybody else was trying. And we loved him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>This idea of really kind of pouring into solutions at a time where there is just so much conflict going on in the world and really honoring some of the things that he really stood for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Music] \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>All right. And this is, again, probably our last news roundup of the year. Maria Elena and I, we really tried a new thing with this, so we’ll probably keep doing that next year. Hope you liked them as much as we did to John. Enjoy doing these little roundups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Oh yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>It’s fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>No, it’s been fun. It’s nice to get to shake up the format a little bit and to make more space for four more stories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Yeah. And it’s always nice talking to the two of you in person and chatting, and I hope listeners enjoy it as much as we have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Right. Alan and Maria, thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Maria Esquinca: \u003c/strong>Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alan Montecillo: \u003c/strong>Thanks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra. The Bay is a production of member supported KQED in San Francisco. Thank you for listening.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>"
}
],
"link": "/news/11968486/the-bays-november-news-roundup-bart-bailout-prison-wages-tupac-shakur-way",
"authors": [
"8654",
"11802",
"11649"
],
"categories": [
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_616",
"news_18",
"news_22598"
],
"featImg": "news_11968489",
"label": "source_news_11968486"
},
"news_11961220": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11961220",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11961220",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1694772034000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "barts-plan-to-win-you-back",
"title": "BART's Plan to Win Us Back",
"publishDate": 1694772034,
"format": "audio",
"headTitle": "BART’s Plan to Win Us Back | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">\u003ci>View the full episode transcript.\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On Monday, BART rolled out a new schedule and changes to its system. They’re calling it a “reimagined” service plan. Combine that with increased police and non-uniformed personnel, and it’s clear that BART is trying to make changes that woo riders back onto its trains. Will it work?\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp id=\"embed-code\" class=\"inconsolata\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=KQINC2679903955\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and welcome to The Bay. Local News to Keep You Rooted. Bad news about BART just doesn’t surprise me anymore. The system has been struggling to get people on its trains again since the pandemic and has been battling a public relations crisis around crime and safety. That plus the delays and all the other problems that regular riders are probably used to seeing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Montage of listener voicemails: \u003c/strong>They often go home for Sunday dinner with the family and it’s often really delayed and it just feels inconsistent. It’s also already way too expensive. I used to actually be a regular BART right here. I do agree with a lot of the sentiment regarding the public that it’s just a little unfair.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>But this week, BART made some big changes to its system and the agency is hoping that it’s enough to bring people back and riders are hoping so, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Montage of listener voicemails: \u003c/strong>I definitely have noticed the new schedule this week and it’s been a welcome change. Overall, I’d really continue to root for BART and hope that they can figure out their financing. I really hope to see BART fully recover because it is a great service, but I want it to be better and I love it because I know that it’s not the best we deserve, but I want it to be better and it’s the best we have right now. Ugh, I have mixed feelings, I love BART and I hate BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Today we’re talking with KQED, Dan Brakey, about all the changes BART just made to its system and the tall order. It’s got to win your heart back. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Dan Brekke is a transportation editor for KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>One of the changes would be that no one would ever have more than a 20 minute wait. That would happen by actually reducing some of the weekdays service on the lesser traveled lines like the line between Richmond and Barry s, for instance, there would be an increase in service on the busiest line, which is the line between Pittsburgh, Bay Point and SFO, San Francisco International Airport. Now the trade off on that line is those trains are running every 10 minutes and those other lines like from Richmond to Barry s, they’re only running every 20 minutes. And if they sort of evened everything out, you could have trains all day, every day, every 20 minutes. It’s a big change. And there are some things that people are not totally in love with yet, but it seems to be working pretty well so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>A part of that change, too, is that they’re actually way less of the old legacy BART trains and more of the sort of new ones, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Yes, that’s exactly right. BART made a sort of big production out of what it called the final trip by a legacy fleet train. These are cars that go back to the very beginning of BART. BART is 51 years old this month, and they’re looking a little beat right now. And so as part of this change service, BART is retiring. Those from regular service, you still may see them. What the service is supposed to feature each and every day for all service hours is it’s the brand new train. You know, these new cars represent a big advance in the customer experience in a lot of ways. But there are some things that people don’t like so much. The seating configuration is different. Some people find the seats too hard and stuff like that. But anyway, you have brand new cars, better ventilation and better signage and announcements and all of that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And then the trains are also going to be shorter, like actually fewer cars, right? What’s that about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>At the beginning of the pandemic, BART began running almost exclusively ten car trains. And that was because there was this concern about social distancing. There were many fewer people riding, but to make them feel comfortable, the trains were made longer than they typically had been earlier so that people could space themselves out on the cars. But BART is looking at a number of things that make it feel like it needed to change how it was managing those train lengths. So what they’ve done starting this week is to just run shorter trains on most lines like the one from Richmond to Barry S in the East Bay or from Dublin, Pleasanton to Daly City, for instance. They’re cutting the train lengths from the typical ten cars before to six cars. And then on that busy Pittsburgh Bay point to SFO line they’re cutting the train lengths to eight cars. And BART says it’s trying to do several things there. One thing running fewer cars actually saves maintenance costs and makes the system a little cheaper to run. They have fewer cars to clean. They can process a lot more of them a lot more quickly. They also say it will be easier to police the trains with both uniformed police officers, fare inspectors, crisis intervention specialists and community ambassadors that it’s easier to manage the shorter trains. And then there’s the idea that having shorter trains means, of course, the crowding is going to be more of a factor. There’s a denser population and having more people on the cars will discourage people from doing things that other passengers might not like so much. And finally, having the shorter trains means that people, when they want to ride in the front car, for instance, to be near a train operator, This is an issue for women passengers especially. They don’t have to wait all the way at the end of a lonely platform to do that. So that’s what BART’s up to with the shorter trains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I do feel like most of the talk about BART lately has been pretty negative. I mean, everyone kind of keeps talking about these fears of safety on BART, and I want to play this one voicemail that we actually got from Jimmy from San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Jimmy from San Francisco \u003c/strong>One traumatic experience I remember actually was not too long ago, I was actually at the 16th Mission BART Station, and I recalled a couple of young juveniles had walked in the train. They sat right behind me, but I started smelling something. It turns out they were just lighting things on fire. I felt very uncomfortable. That ended up having to move to a different train. But, you know, I don’t think that’s the experience that most riders want to have. And I really think that BART to step down on its feet until they fix this issue. I don’t see myself coming back on BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I guess coming out of hearing what Jimmy just said. Like it sounds like these changes are an attempt to bring people like Jimmy back onto bar, it sounds like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Absolutely. And the thinking, moving from the abstract that I was talking about to the specific now, I mean, the thinking is that if there were a lot of people on that train car, these two people who were doing something that was disturbing and dangerous wouldn’t do that. Now, there are some people who are very bold about what they’ll do, and maybe they wouldn’t be deterred by that. But anyway, that is the theory for sure. And that is a good example, that episode that he’s talking about of the kinds of things that people say they just don’t want to see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Can you give us a sense of what is going on in the minds of the people running the agency? Like, what is their motivation behind these changes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Bottom line, they really need to get writers to return in large numbers much, much larger than they’ve seen so far. The state legislature has also weighed in on this. They want to see real improvements in public transit performance. And BART often comes up in these conversations before the state commits more money to public transit. That is really the long term thinking there. And the reason it’s so particularly important for BART is because historically it has depended on passengers to help run the railroad on a day to day basis. I mean, BART was paying, you know, depending on how you count the dollars, 60 to 70% of its operating costs from passenger fares. And, of course, that has crashed longer term. Voters in the Bay Area in all, nine counties are going to be asked at some point to pass some kind of tax measure that will provide permanent or at least very long term operating support for BART. And BART has to make the case that it’s worth a yes vote when that finally comes to the ballot, probably in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, I know it’s early, Dan, but do we know anything about whether these changes are actually working?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Well, based on the first three days of ridership numbers, it seems to be working very, very well. On Monday, they had 158,000 riders, which was the best Monday they’ve had since March 2020. On Tuesday, they had 192,000 riders, which was their best day ever since the pandemic started. And then Wednesday, they were just a hair short of 193,000. So another record. So three days in a row they’ve had what amounts to record ridership. We know that there are things going on. We don’t know the impact of Dreamforce, for instance, this big convention that Salesforce holds in San Francisco, that’s adding to ridership to some extent. We don’t know exactly how much, though.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>We did hear from a listener, Michelle from Livermore, who definitely loves BART, but who is, I think, one of the people who’s starting to notice the impact of these changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Michelle from Livermore \u003c/strong>Just now tonight, I’m coming back from commuting and I know it’s Dreamforce, but with shorter, less amount of cars on the train. Oh my God. It was packed like New York City passed to where the operator had to tell people near the doors to give room so that people could leave as their stops to get out. So it’s going to take a little bit of choreography for people to understand, to move into the center as much as they can. Instead of hanging out by the doors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I love that little bit of choreography. I feel like that’s not something people have really had to think about on board anymore. But now, I mean, I’m like, remember when people would have to take off their backpacks to make room for other people in the bar, Jane’s den.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>That is just what I was thinking of. But what she’s talking about is, is the BART experience people had from, say, 2014 to 20 1819, especially that people didn’t love. But, you know, as Michelle said, it was reminiscent of New York. Guess what? New York is the number one transit friendly, if not entirely transit efficient city on the continent. And, you know, that’s the way you move around masses of people in a dense city. And so we’ll see. I mean, I think this is something BART is going to have to negotiate with its riders somewhat. They have already said that they’re watching crowding statistics very closely and that they will add longer trains as needed as the situation evolves, and especially if riders start to return. And even larger numbers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>People, I think, do want BART to work. And we actually got a voicemail from someone who acknowledges that like, yes, BART is a little rough around the edges, but we do just kind of want it to work. So here’s Gloria from Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Gloria from Oakland \u003c/strong>I have taken public transit as long as I have been getting around independently, kind of inspired by my late father, who always thought, if you want to experience the city, you’ve got to experience a public transit. So I guess I’m a bit of a BART loyalist. Sure, there are some frustrations with the system. I get super mad about delays, broken escalators, dirty cars. BART is not perfect, but I am a loyalist. I am mostly excited about the big changes, saying I hope it helps. BART gets groove back. I really can’t imagine living in the bay without BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I mean, it makes me feel like warm and fuzzy. Like, I don’t know. I feel like BART is such a part of Bay Area life. And I would like for it to be part of Bay Area life in the future as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>And what’s really interesting to me about Gloria’s comment is that somebody who kind of is willing to take the world as it is, she’d like to like it to be a little bit better than she experiences it on BART sometimes. But she recognizes that the service is necessary beyond the simple convenience or maybe the delight that most people want to have in in their daily experiences. You know, this really isn’t just about BART. A lot of transit agencies are facing these big financial challenges, but it’s also about trying to persuade people to use transit instead of driving solo. You know, the Bay Area prides itself on being this transit rich, transit friendly area. But you know what? It really isn’t so much. Only one in 20 trips that people take in a bay area are by transit for commute trips. The most popular way of getting to work for forever has been to drive solo. And so the bigger question is how do you change that? And it’s a big deal. It’s a it’s part of the state’s climate goals. That’s a bigger challenge that is hanging over this entire discussion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, what do you think, Dan? Do you think that in the long run, all these changes are going to help? Is it is it going to be enough to save BART?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>I mean, I think BART in some form is here to stay. You know, it’ll be part of our lives to some extent, you know, ten or 20 or 30 years from now. What will it be like is the question, is it going to be a service that can handle that big commute or is it going to be something that, you know, frankly goes back to its early days where service was actually not very robust? The service was running on a shoestring, and it really isn’t part of people’s daily lives the way it has been in the more recent past. Here we are, three and a half years after that pandemic crash, and BART still isn’t at 50% of its weekday ridership. So BART’s trying to improve its public image, show that it’s responding to rider sentiment and providing the best service that people can reasonably expect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, Dan, thank you so much for chatting with me about BART. I really appreciate it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>I really appreciate being asked to chat about it. I love talking to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>That was Dan Brekke, a transportation editor for KQED. This 40-minute conversation with Dan was cut down and edited by producer Maria Esquinca. Alan Montecillo is our senior editor. He scored this episode and added all the tape. Also, a special shout out to all the Bay listeners who left us voicemails. I really loved hearing from Dave in Orinda. Michelle in Livermore, Denise, Gloria, Paul and Shane in Oakland and Jimmy and Zach out in San Francisco. Thank you so much for making this episode so much fuller. Thanks to your voicemails. And shout out as well to the rest of our podcast squad here at KQED. That’s Jen Chien, our director of podcasts; Katie Sprenger, our podcast operations manager; César Saldaña, our podcast engagement producer. And Holly Kernan, our Chief Content Officer. The Bay is a production of member-supported KQED in San Francisco. I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Thanks so much for listening. Peace.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "On Monday, BART rolled out a new schedule and changes to its system. They’re calling it a ’reimagined’ service plan.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721134397,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": true,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 5,
"wordCount": 3013
},
"headData": {
"title": "BART's Plan to Win Us Back | KQED",
"description": "On Monday, BART rolled out a new schedule and changes to its system. They’re calling it a ’reimagined’ service plan.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART's Plan to Win Us Back",
"datePublished": "2023-09-15T03:00:34-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-16T05:53:17-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"source": "The Bay",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/thebay",
"audioUrl": "https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/G6C7C3/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC2679903955.mp3?updated=1694725572",
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11961220/barts-plan-to-win-you-back",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">\u003ci>View the full episode transcript.\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On Monday, BART rolled out a new schedule and changes to its system. They’re calling it a “reimagined” service plan. Combine that with increased police and non-uniformed personnel, and it’s clear that BART is trying to make changes that woo riders back onto its trains. Will it work?\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp id=\"embed-code\" class=\"inconsolata\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=KQINC2679903955\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-content post-body\">\u003ch2 id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and welcome to The Bay. Local News to Keep You Rooted. Bad news about BART just doesn’t surprise me anymore. The system has been struggling to get people on its trains again since the pandemic and has been battling a public relations crisis around crime and safety. That plus the delays and all the other problems that regular riders are probably used to seeing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Montage of listener voicemails: \u003c/strong>They often go home for Sunday dinner with the family and it’s often really delayed and it just feels inconsistent. It’s also already way too expensive. I used to actually be a regular BART right here. I do agree with a lot of the sentiment regarding the public that it’s just a little unfair.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>But this week, BART made some big changes to its system and the agency is hoping that it’s enough to bring people back and riders are hoping so, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Montage of listener voicemails: \u003c/strong>I definitely have noticed the new schedule this week and it’s been a welcome change. Overall, I’d really continue to root for BART and hope that they can figure out their financing. I really hope to see BART fully recover because it is a great service, but I want it to be better and I love it because I know that it’s not the best we deserve, but I want it to be better and it’s the best we have right now. Ugh, I have mixed feelings, I love BART and I hate BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Today we’re talking with KQED, Dan Brakey, about all the changes BART just made to its system and the tall order. It’s got to win your heart back. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Dan Brekke is a transportation editor for KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>One of the changes would be that no one would ever have more than a 20 minute wait. That would happen by actually reducing some of the weekdays service on the lesser traveled lines like the line between Richmond and Barry s, for instance, there would be an increase in service on the busiest line, which is the line between Pittsburgh, Bay Point and SFO, San Francisco International Airport. Now the trade off on that line is those trains are running every 10 minutes and those other lines like from Richmond to Barry s, they’re only running every 20 minutes. And if they sort of evened everything out, you could have trains all day, every day, every 20 minutes. It’s a big change. And there are some things that people are not totally in love with yet, but it seems to be working pretty well so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>A part of that change, too, is that they’re actually way less of the old legacy BART trains and more of the sort of new ones, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Yes, that’s exactly right. BART made a sort of big production out of what it called the final trip by a legacy fleet train. These are cars that go back to the very beginning of BART. BART is 51 years old this month, and they’re looking a little beat right now. And so as part of this change service, BART is retiring. Those from regular service, you still may see them. What the service is supposed to feature each and every day for all service hours is it’s the brand new train. You know, these new cars represent a big advance in the customer experience in a lot of ways. But there are some things that people don’t like so much. The seating configuration is different. Some people find the seats too hard and stuff like that. But anyway, you have brand new cars, better ventilation and better signage and announcements and all of that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>And then the trains are also going to be shorter, like actually fewer cars, right? What’s that about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>At the beginning of the pandemic, BART began running almost exclusively ten car trains. And that was because there was this concern about social distancing. There were many fewer people riding, but to make them feel comfortable, the trains were made longer than they typically had been earlier so that people could space themselves out on the cars. But BART is looking at a number of things that make it feel like it needed to change how it was managing those train lengths. So what they’ve done starting this week is to just run shorter trains on most lines like the one from Richmond to Barry S in the East Bay or from Dublin, Pleasanton to Daly City, for instance. They’re cutting the train lengths from the typical ten cars before to six cars. And then on that busy Pittsburgh Bay point to SFO line they’re cutting the train lengths to eight cars. And BART says it’s trying to do several things there. One thing running fewer cars actually saves maintenance costs and makes the system a little cheaper to run. They have fewer cars to clean. They can process a lot more of them a lot more quickly. They also say it will be easier to police the trains with both uniformed police officers, fare inspectors, crisis intervention specialists and community ambassadors that it’s easier to manage the shorter trains. And then there’s the idea that having shorter trains means, of course, the crowding is going to be more of a factor. There’s a denser population and having more people on the cars will discourage people from doing things that other passengers might not like so much. And finally, having the shorter trains means that people, when they want to ride in the front car, for instance, to be near a train operator, This is an issue for women passengers especially. They don’t have to wait all the way at the end of a lonely platform to do that. So that’s what BART’s up to with the shorter trains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I do feel like most of the talk about BART lately has been pretty negative. I mean, everyone kind of keeps talking about these fears of safety on BART, and I want to play this one voicemail that we actually got from Jimmy from San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Jimmy from San Francisco \u003c/strong>One traumatic experience I remember actually was not too long ago, I was actually at the 16th Mission BART Station, and I recalled a couple of young juveniles had walked in the train. They sat right behind me, but I started smelling something. It turns out they were just lighting things on fire. I felt very uncomfortable. That ended up having to move to a different train. But, you know, I don’t think that’s the experience that most riders want to have. And I really think that BART to step down on its feet until they fix this issue. I don’t see myself coming back on BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I guess coming out of hearing what Jimmy just said. Like it sounds like these changes are an attempt to bring people like Jimmy back onto bar, it sounds like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Absolutely. And the thinking, moving from the abstract that I was talking about to the specific now, I mean, the thinking is that if there were a lot of people on that train car, these two people who were doing something that was disturbing and dangerous wouldn’t do that. Now, there are some people who are very bold about what they’ll do, and maybe they wouldn’t be deterred by that. But anyway, that is the theory for sure. And that is a good example, that episode that he’s talking about of the kinds of things that people say they just don’t want to see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Can you give us a sense of what is going on in the minds of the people running the agency? Like, what is their motivation behind these changes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Bottom line, they really need to get writers to return in large numbers much, much larger than they’ve seen so far. The state legislature has also weighed in on this. They want to see real improvements in public transit performance. And BART often comes up in these conversations before the state commits more money to public transit. That is really the long term thinking there. And the reason it’s so particularly important for BART is because historically it has depended on passengers to help run the railroad on a day to day basis. I mean, BART was paying, you know, depending on how you count the dollars, 60 to 70% of its operating costs from passenger fares. And, of course, that has crashed longer term. Voters in the Bay Area in all, nine counties are going to be asked at some point to pass some kind of tax measure that will provide permanent or at least very long term operating support for BART. And BART has to make the case that it’s worth a yes vote when that finally comes to the ballot, probably in 2026.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, I know it’s early, Dan, but do we know anything about whether these changes are actually working?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>Well, based on the first three days of ridership numbers, it seems to be working very, very well. On Monday, they had 158,000 riders, which was the best Monday they’ve had since March 2020. On Tuesday, they had 192,000 riders, which was their best day ever since the pandemic started. And then Wednesday, they were just a hair short of 193,000. So another record. So three days in a row they’ve had what amounts to record ridership. We know that there are things going on. We don’t know the impact of Dreamforce, for instance, this big convention that Salesforce holds in San Francisco, that’s adding to ridership to some extent. We don’t know exactly how much, though.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>We did hear from a listener, Michelle from Livermore, who definitely loves BART, but who is, I think, one of the people who’s starting to notice the impact of these changes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Michelle from Livermore \u003c/strong>Just now tonight, I’m coming back from commuting and I know it’s Dreamforce, but with shorter, less amount of cars on the train. Oh my God. It was packed like New York City passed to where the operator had to tell people near the doors to give room so that people could leave as their stops to get out. So it’s going to take a little bit of choreography for people to understand, to move into the center as much as they can. Instead of hanging out by the doors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I love that little bit of choreography. I feel like that’s not something people have really had to think about on board anymore. But now, I mean, I’m like, remember when people would have to take off their backpacks to make room for other people in the bar, Jane’s den.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>That is just what I was thinking of. But what she’s talking about is, is the BART experience people had from, say, 2014 to 20 1819, especially that people didn’t love. But, you know, as Michelle said, it was reminiscent of New York. Guess what? New York is the number one transit friendly, if not entirely transit efficient city on the continent. And, you know, that’s the way you move around masses of people in a dense city. And so we’ll see. I mean, I think this is something BART is going to have to negotiate with its riders somewhat. They have already said that they’re watching crowding statistics very closely and that they will add longer trains as needed as the situation evolves, and especially if riders start to return. And even larger numbers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>People, I think, do want BART to work. And we actually got a voicemail from someone who acknowledges that like, yes, BART is a little rough around the edges, but we do just kind of want it to work. So here’s Gloria from Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Gloria from Oakland \u003c/strong>I have taken public transit as long as I have been getting around independently, kind of inspired by my late father, who always thought, if you want to experience the city, you’ve got to experience a public transit. So I guess I’m a bit of a BART loyalist. Sure, there are some frustrations with the system. I get super mad about delays, broken escalators, dirty cars. BART is not perfect, but I am a loyalist. I am mostly excited about the big changes, saying I hope it helps. BART gets groove back. I really can’t imagine living in the bay without BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>I mean, it makes me feel like warm and fuzzy. Like, I don’t know. I feel like BART is such a part of Bay Area life. And I would like for it to be part of Bay Area life in the future as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>And what’s really interesting to me about Gloria’s comment is that somebody who kind of is willing to take the world as it is, she’d like to like it to be a little bit better than she experiences it on BART sometimes. But she recognizes that the service is necessary beyond the simple convenience or maybe the delight that most people want to have in in their daily experiences. You know, this really isn’t just about BART. A lot of transit agencies are facing these big financial challenges, but it’s also about trying to persuade people to use transit instead of driving solo. You know, the Bay Area prides itself on being this transit rich, transit friendly area. But you know what? It really isn’t so much. Only one in 20 trips that people take in a bay area are by transit for commute trips. The most popular way of getting to work for forever has been to drive solo. And so the bigger question is how do you change that? And it’s a big deal. It’s a it’s part of the state’s climate goals. That’s a bigger challenge that is hanging over this entire discussion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, what do you think, Dan? Do you think that in the long run, all these changes are going to help? Is it is it going to be enough to save BART?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>I mean, I think BART in some form is here to stay. You know, it’ll be part of our lives to some extent, you know, ten or 20 or 30 years from now. What will it be like is the question, is it going to be a service that can handle that big commute or is it going to be something that, you know, frankly goes back to its early days where service was actually not very robust? The service was running on a shoestring, and it really isn’t part of people’s daily lives the way it has been in the more recent past. Here we are, three and a half years after that pandemic crash, and BART still isn’t at 50% of its weekday ridership. So BART’s trying to improve its public image, show that it’s responding to rider sentiment and providing the best service that people can reasonably expect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>Well, Dan, thank you so much for chatting with me about BART. I really appreciate it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Dan Brekke: \u003c/strong>I really appreciate being asked to chat about it. I love talking to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra: \u003c/strong>That was Dan Brekke, a transportation editor for KQED. This 40-minute conversation with Dan was cut down and edited by producer Maria Esquinca. Alan Montecillo is our senior editor. He scored this episode and added all the tape. Also, a special shout out to all the Bay listeners who left us voicemails. I really loved hearing from Dave in Orinda. Michelle in Livermore, Denise, Gloria, Paul and Shane in Oakland and Jimmy and Zach out in San Francisco. Thank you so much for making this episode so much fuller. Thanks to your voicemails. And shout out as well to the rest of our podcast squad here at KQED. That’s Jen Chien, our director of podcasts; Katie Sprenger, our podcast operations manager; César Saldaña, our podcast engagement producer. And Holly Kernan, our Chief Content Officer. The Bay is a production of member-supported KQED in San Francisco. I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Thanks so much for listening. Peace.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>"
}
],
"link": "/news/11961220/barts-plan-to-win-you-back",
"authors": [
"8654",
"222",
"11649",
"11802"
],
"programs": [
"news_28779"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_33520"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_31530",
"news_1528",
"news_33084",
"news_22598"
],
"featImg": "news_11959064",
"label": "source_news_11961220"
},
"news_11959044": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11959044",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11959044",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1694466918000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "barts-big-schedule-changes-which-lines-are-getting-more-or-less-service",
"title": "BART Schedule Changes: More Frequent Trains & Shorter Waits",
"publishDate": 1694466918,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "BART Schedule Changes: More Frequent Trains & Shorter Waits | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Big changes have just come to BART, with the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230427\">a “reimagined” service beginning Monday\u003c/a>, complete with \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\">significantly shorter trains (PDF)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/BART%20WDAY%20Scheds%209_11_2023%20REV.pdf\">a new timetable (PDF)\u003c/a> that promises riders won’t wait more than 20 minutes for a train, no matter what time of day or what day of the week they’re traveling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trains will also run more frequently than ever — every 10 minutes — on BART’s busiest route, the Yellow Line between Pittsburg/Bay Point and San Francisco International Airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#maxwait\">What are BART’s new maximum wait times?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#moreservice\">Which BART lines are getting more frequent weekday service?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#lessservice\">How is BART’s direct transbay service being reduced?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#shorttrains\">Why are some BART trains now shorter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#timedtransfers\">How will timed transfers on BART now work?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>BART says the new schedule is designed to attract riders who have stayed away from the system because of the 30-minute wait times that have been standard during evenings and on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Beyond the schedule makeover, the revamped service now includes two other changes BART riders are certain to notice starting Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11958899/do-you-love-barts-nixon-era-train-cars-ride-now-because-theyre-about-to-go-away\">BART will be retiring its 1970s-era legacy fleet\u003c/a> from regular service. You may see some of the older cars running occasionally, but starting Monday, the agency intends to provide all service with its new “Fleet of the Future” cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Second, BART has now begun to run significantly shorter trains on all of its lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency has defaulted to running long trains — typically 10 cars, the maximum length the system accommodates, with some lines seeing eight-car “consists” — since the start of pandemic stay-at-home orders took effect in March 2020.[aside postID=\"news_11958899,news_11942359,news_11791910\" label=\"Related Stories\"]The idea was that the longer trains allowed room for COVID social distancing. Now the agency says that long trains and often very sparsely populated cars have come with unintended consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Empty spaces encourage anti-social behavior, harassment and targeted crimes,” BART management said in a presentation this week to the agency’s board. On the other hand, the document said “active spaces” — ones with plenty of people around — discourage that negative behavior.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Eliminating empty and sparse train cars will create a safer, more welcoming environment for women, girls, gender non-conforming people, senior citizens, families and all riders,” the presentation concluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART says shorter trains will bring other benefits, too: They’ll be easier to police, simpler to clean and cheaper to run.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency acknowledges riders will see more crowded trains when the changes take effect — although conditions won’t be anything close to the “crush loads” that were the norm for rush hour commuters in the years leading up to the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Speaking to the board on Aug. 24, BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost acknowledged that some passengers will be concerned about crowding when they see the shorter trains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the six-car train pulls up, they’re going to be like, ‘What is BART doing to me?’ she said. But she added that the agency plans to carefully monitor any crowding that develops and is prepared to respond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We will be watching,” Trost said. “We will be holding ourselves accountable. If the train is just completely packed, we can add more cars. It’s as simple as that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the big BART service and schedule changes?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Here are the main features of the service changes that went into effect Monday:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"maxwait\">\u003c/a>Maximum wait times of 20 minutes on all lines at all hours\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of passengers’ major knocks on BART’s night and weekend service is the 30-minute wait between trains. Starting Monday, the maximum scheduled wait time between trains will be 20 minutes, Monday through Sunday during all operating hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"moreservice\">\u003c/a>More frequent weekday service on BART’s most heavily traveled line\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART is reducing headways — the time between trains — on its Antioch-SFO route, also known as its Yellow Line. BART will run six trains an hour on that line between just before 5 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. every weeknight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the previous schedule, which predates the pandemic but has been adjusted at various points over the last three-and-a-half years, Yellow Line trains have run every 15 minutes from early morning through early evening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"lessservice\">\u003c/a>Less frequent direct transbay service on BART’s less heavily traveled lines\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To make it possible to run trains every 20 minutes during weekend and evening hours, the weekday frequency of direct trains on some lines is being reduced from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. This is true on the eBART (Pittsburg/Bay Point-Antioch), Red (Richmond-SFO/Millbrae), Orange (Richmond-Berryessa/North San José), Green (Berryessa/North San José-Daly City) and Blue (Dublin/Pleasanton-Daly City) lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART advises that service from all East Bay stations to San Francisco will be available every 10 minutes until 9 p.m. each evening — with a timed transfer along the way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"shorttrains\">\u003c/a>Shorter BART trains are here\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many years, BART has run 10-car trains during commute hours and shorter “consists” at off-peak times. Faced with concerns about social distancing at the beginning of the pandemic, BART began running as many 10-car trains as it could. That has now changed, and starting Monday the system has gone to eight-car trains on the Antioch-SFO (Yellow) line and 6-car trains on all other lines. BART says it anticipates “manageable” crowding at peak hours, but adds the benefits will more than make up for the discomfort some people might experience riding in significantly fuller cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\">The agency says in an Aug. 24 presentation (PDF)\u003c/a> prepared for the board that running shorter trains will make the system safer by making it easier for police and non-uniformed personnel to patrol trains. Having denser passenger loads could also discourage “anti-social behavior,” BART says, and make it easier to keep trains clean. Finally, running shorter trains will save money — an estimated $12 million a year — thus answering calls from critics who have called on BART to operate more efficiently.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"timedtransfers\">\u003c/a>How BART’s timed transfers are supposed to work\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART has used timed transfers for years during evening and weekend service to try to provide a delay-free ride for those traveling from San Francisco and the Peninsula to East Bay locations and vice versa. For instance, if you’re on an Antioch (Yellow Line) train and want to get to El Cerrito Plaza on the Richmond (Red) line, BART’s timed transfer stop is at Oakland’s 19th Street station. If the timing is working according to plan, a Richmond train should be arriving just as you get off the Antioch train.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s how the system is supposed to work. In practice, unexpected delays for either train involved in the timed transfer mean passengers will miss their connection and wind up waiting longer than anticipated to get home, or to the show or the airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958814\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11958814\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-800x424.jpg\" alt='A graphic showing to separate graphs and with a title that reads \"Punctuality – Timed Train Meets.\"' width=\"800\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-800x424.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1020x541.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-160x85.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1536x814.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-2048x1086.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1920x1018.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART graphic showing performance of timed train meets at Oakland’s MacArthur and 19th Street stations. \u003ccite>(BART Quarterly Performance Report for Q4 FY 2023.)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>How often do the timed train meets get fouled up?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23923918/bart-quarterly-service-performance-review-fourth-quarter-fiscal-year-2023.pdf\">BART’s latest quarterly performance report (PDF)\u003c/a>, covering the period from April through June, shows that trains met as scheduled between 75% and 80% of the time on weekdays and between 85% and 90% on weekends. Trains running from San Francisco and the Peninsula to the East Bay were slightly more likely to experience delays getting to the transfer stations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"moreinfo\">\u003c/a>More information:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/BART%20WDAY%20Scheds%209_11_2023%20REV.pdf\">See BART’s new timetable which has gone into effect\u003c/a> as of Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on Aug. 24.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "As of Monday, BART has a new schedule. Read more about the changes to BART, which lines are most affected, and changes to BART wait times.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1746621777,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 36,
"wordCount": 1343
},
"headData": {
"title": "BART's New Schedule: What Riders Need to Know | KQED",
"description": "Explore BART's revamped service with increased train frequency, reduced wait times, and shorter trains. Learn how these changes affect your commute.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "BART's New Schedule: What Riders Need to Know | KQED",
"socialDescription": "Explore BART's revamped service with increased train frequency, reduced wait times, and shorter trains. Learn how these changes affect your commute.",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART Schedule Changes: More Frequent Trains & Shorter Waits",
"datePublished": "2023-09-11T14:15:18-07:00",
"dateModified": "2025-05-07T05:42:57-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11959044/barts-big-schedule-changes-which-lines-are-getting-more-or-less-service",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Big changes have just come to BART, with the launch of \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230427\">a “reimagined” service beginning Monday\u003c/a>, complete with \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\">significantly shorter trains (PDF)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/BART%20WDAY%20Scheds%209_11_2023%20REV.pdf\">a new timetable (PDF)\u003c/a> that promises riders won’t wait more than 20 minutes for a train, no matter what time of day or what day of the week they’re traveling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trains will also run more frequently than ever — every 10 minutes — on BART’s busiest route, the Yellow Line between Pittsburg/Bay Point and San Francisco International Airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#maxwait\">What are BART’s new maximum wait times?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#moreservice\">Which BART lines are getting more frequent weekday service?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#lessservice\">How is BART’s direct transbay service being reduced?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#shorttrains\">Why are some BART trains now shorter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#timedtransfers\">How will timed transfers on BART now work?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>BART says the new schedule is designed to attract riders who have stayed away from the system because of the 30-minute wait times that have been standard during evenings and on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Beyond the schedule makeover, the revamped service now includes two other changes BART riders are certain to notice starting Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11958899/do-you-love-barts-nixon-era-train-cars-ride-now-because-theyre-about-to-go-away\">BART will be retiring its 1970s-era legacy fleet\u003c/a> from regular service. You may see some of the older cars running occasionally, but starting Monday, the agency intends to provide all service with its new “Fleet of the Future” cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Second, BART has now begun to run significantly shorter trains on all of its lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency has defaulted to running long trains — typically 10 cars, the maximum length the system accommodates, with some lines seeing eight-car “consists” — since the start of pandemic stay-at-home orders took effect in March 2020.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11958899,news_11942359,news_11791910",
"label": "Related Stories "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The idea was that the longer trains allowed room for COVID social distancing. Now the agency says that long trains and often very sparsely populated cars have come with unintended consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Empty spaces encourage anti-social behavior, harassment and targeted crimes,” BART management said in a presentation this week to the agency’s board. On the other hand, the document said “active spaces” — ones with plenty of people around — discourage that negative behavior.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Eliminating empty and sparse train cars will create a safer, more welcoming environment for women, girls, gender non-conforming people, senior citizens, families and all riders,” the presentation concluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART says shorter trains will bring other benefits, too: They’ll be easier to police, simpler to clean and cheaper to run.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency acknowledges riders will see more crowded trains when the changes take effect — although conditions won’t be anything close to the “crush loads” that were the norm for rush hour commuters in the years leading up to the pandemic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Speaking to the board on Aug. 24, BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost acknowledged that some passengers will be concerned about crowding when they see the shorter trains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the six-car train pulls up, they’re going to be like, ‘What is BART doing to me?’ she said. But she added that the agency plans to carefully monitor any crowding that develops and is prepared to respond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We will be watching,” Trost said. “We will be holding ourselves accountable. If the train is just completely packed, we can add more cars. It’s as simple as that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the big BART service and schedule changes?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Here are the main features of the service changes that went into effect Monday:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"maxwait\">\u003c/a>Maximum wait times of 20 minutes on all lines at all hours\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of passengers’ major knocks on BART’s night and weekend service is the 30-minute wait between trains. Starting Monday, the maximum scheduled wait time between trains will be 20 minutes, Monday through Sunday during all operating hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"moreservice\">\u003c/a>More frequent weekday service on BART’s most heavily traveled line\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART is reducing headways — the time between trains — on its Antioch-SFO route, also known as its Yellow Line. BART will run six trains an hour on that line between just before 5 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. every weeknight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the previous schedule, which predates the pandemic but has been adjusted at various points over the last three-and-a-half years, Yellow Line trains have run every 15 minutes from early morning through early evening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"lessservice\">\u003c/a>Less frequent direct transbay service on BART’s less heavily traveled lines\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To make it possible to run trains every 20 minutes during weekend and evening hours, the weekday frequency of direct trains on some lines is being reduced from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. This is true on the eBART (Pittsburg/Bay Point-Antioch), Red (Richmond-SFO/Millbrae), Orange (Richmond-Berryessa/North San José), Green (Berryessa/North San José-Daly City) and Blue (Dublin/Pleasanton-Daly City) lines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART advises that service from all East Bay stations to San Francisco will be available every 10 minutes until 9 p.m. each evening — with a timed transfer along the way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"shorttrains\">\u003c/a>Shorter BART trains are here\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many years, BART has run 10-car trains during commute hours and shorter “consists” at off-peak times. Faced with concerns about social distancing at the beginning of the pandemic, BART began running as many 10-car trains as it could. That has now changed, and starting Monday the system has gone to eight-car trains on the Antioch-SFO (Yellow) line and 6-car trains on all other lines. BART says it anticipates “manageable” crowding at peak hours, but adds the benefits will more than make up for the discomfort some people might experience riding in significantly fuller cars.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\">The agency says in an Aug. 24 presentation (PDF)\u003c/a> prepared for the board that running shorter trains will make the system safer by making it easier for police and non-uniformed personnel to patrol trains. Having denser passenger loads could also discourage “anti-social behavior,” BART says, and make it easier to keep trains clean. Finally, running shorter trains will save money — an estimated $12 million a year — thus answering calls from critics who have called on BART to operate more efficiently.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"timedtransfers\">\u003c/a>How BART’s timed transfers are supposed to work\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART has used timed transfers for years during evening and weekend service to try to provide a delay-free ride for those traveling from San Francisco and the Peninsula to East Bay locations and vice versa. For instance, if you’re on an Antioch (Yellow Line) train and want to get to El Cerrito Plaza on the Richmond (Red) line, BART’s timed transfer stop is at Oakland’s 19th Street station. If the timing is working according to plan, a Richmond train should be arriving just as you get off the Antioch train.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s how the system is supposed to work. In practice, unexpected delays for either train involved in the timed transfer mean passengers will miss their connection and wind up waiting longer than anticipated to get home, or to the show or the airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958814\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11958814\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-800x424.jpg\" alt='A graphic showing to separate graphs and with a title that reads \"Punctuality – Timed Train Meets.\"' width=\"800\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-800x424.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1020x541.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-160x85.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1536x814.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-2048x1086.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/BART-Timed-Train-Meets-1920x1018.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">BART graphic showing performance of timed train meets at Oakland’s MacArthur and 19th Street stations. \u003ccite>(BART Quarterly Performance Report for Q4 FY 2023.)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>How often do the timed train meets get fouled up?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23923918/bart-quarterly-service-performance-review-fourth-quarter-fiscal-year-2023.pdf\">BART’s latest quarterly performance report (PDF)\u003c/a>, covering the period from April through June, shows that trains met as scheduled between 75% and 80% of the time on weekdays and between 85% and 90% on weekends. Trains running from San Francisco and the Peninsula to the East Bay were slightly more likely to experience delays getting to the transfer stations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"moreinfo\">\u003c/a>More information:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/BART%20WDAY%20Scheds%209_11_2023%20REV.pdf\">See BART’s new timetable which has gone into effect\u003c/a> as of Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on Aug. 24.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11959044/barts-big-schedule-changes-which-lines-are-getting-more-or-less-service",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_269",
"news_33084"
],
"featImg": "news_11959064",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11959973": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11959973",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11959973",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1693681360000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1693681360,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Will BART's Program to Battle Sexual Harassment Make Riders Feel Safer?",
"headTitle": "Will BART’s Program to Battle Sexual Harassment Make Riders Feel Safer? | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>After Phase 1 launched two years ago, BART is now expanding its effort to battle sexual harassment and gender-based violence on the transit system — or, at least, battle the perception of BART as unsafe for women and genderqueer riders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Phase 2 comes at a time when we are doing everything we can do to win riders back. … and that starts with safety,” said Alicia Trost, BART’s chief communications officer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When BART began collecting data on sexual harassment in 2020, they found that 10% of people surveyed had experienced gender-based violence within the last six months. Almost three years later — and two years after the start of its “Not One More Girl” prevention campaign — that number is still at 10% today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the biggest challenge, said BART officials, may simply be the perception riders have of its system. A survey of 274 students in east Contra Costa found over 45% said they did not feel safe on BART. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230729\">with ridership numbers still at 40% of pre-COVID trips\u003c/a>, the agency is facing a “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11952821/1-1-billion-state-bailout-proposed-for-transit-agencies-facing-fiscal-cliff\">fiscal cliff\u003c/a>.” A rollout of new gates, which make it harder to evade fares, is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956833/bart-board-votes-to-oppose-bill-that-would-decriminalize-fare-evasion\">part of the agency’s effort\u003c/a> to change perceptions and woo back riders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The first part of the “Not One More Girl” initiative, which began in April 2021, collected data on sexual harassment and added tools to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/about/police/bartwatch\">the BART Watch App\u003c/a> (an app to report crime on BART) that would make it easier to report noncriminal harassment. During its first year, just 29 people reported noncriminal harassment, according to BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what may have been most noticeable, though, was the increase in BART’s unarmed safety personnel, expanding the numbers of transit ambassadors and crisis intervention specialists. Last year they added 10 ambassadors, and 15 crisis specialists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This next phase will focus, instead, on how bystanders can help prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are demanding awareness from our community,” said Franchesca Rodriguez, the transit justice facilitator for the Betti Ono Foundation. Rodriguez was part of the initial group providing input and suggestions to BART on this second phase of the program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She joined BART officials and other community organizations on Thursday at the station in downtown Berkeley to describe the next parts of the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART’s goal is for “a future of data-driven policy and programming to better uphold riders’ safety — with girls and gender-expansive youth of color at the center,” said Chantal Hildebrand, deputy director for the Alliance of Girls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what Phase 2 has planned:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Shorter trains\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART officials typically recommend that people sit in the front car if they’re traveling alone. That’s because the train operator is at the very front, too — making you not entirely alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Trost, BART’s communications person, says that “[young people] don’t like to wait at the end of the platform where the first car lands, because it’s dark and sketchy.” The solution? Make cars shorter. That way if someone is waiting for the first train car, they don’t have to wait near the corner. This also will lead to less empty cars overall, which BART officials believe will reduce harassment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11959977\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/?attachment_id=11959977\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11959977\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-11959977\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1020x1330.jpg\" alt=\"two colorful cards say 'i got you' and 'you got me?'\" width=\"640\" height=\"835\" srcset=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1020x1330.jpg 1020w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-800x1043.jpg 800w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-160x209.jpg 160w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1178x1536.jpg 1178w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771.jpg 1561w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">These cards are meant to be used either asking for help or offering it. \u003ccite>(Billy Cruz/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To make up for these shorter trains and to decrease the amount of time people have to wait at stations, BART officials said the agency will also soon increase frequency at nights and on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Bystander intervention cards\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART is also offering two colorful paper cards so riders, in theory, can discreetly ask or offer help. The cards are the same size as a Clipper card and can be found at station agent booths or with transit ambassadors and crisis intervention specialists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One card says, “You got me?” and asks for help. It also provides details on what a bystander can do to get assistance for the person who needs help. The other card says “I got you.” The idea, here, is that if you see someone being harassed, you can discreetly give them one of these cards, letting them know someone’s looking out for them. It signals to the person in distress that you can and will help them if they need, whether it be through the BART Watch App or by calling BART police.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Safety posters\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Local artist Safi Kolozsvari Regalado has also designed three posters that are currently on 300 BART trains and at several BART stations. The posters offer safety tips in a youthful comic-book style. One explains how the front train car is the safest. Another shows what the BART Watch App can be used for and encourages people to download it. All highlight scenes of bystander intervention. The posters also explain the larger initiative, and include a QR code that directs you to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/guide/safety/gbv\">a BART webpage on gender-based violence\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/SFBART/status/1697380108473143338\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the posters are already up, the bystander intervention cards, shorter trains and change in train frequency will start on Sept. 11.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 886,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 20
},
"modified": 1693616612,
"excerpt": "With BART ridership still low, the agency's 'Not One More Girl' program hopes to change perceptions of safety and get riders back on trains.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "With BART ridership still low, the agency's 'Not One More Girl' program hopes to change perceptions of safety and get riders back on trains.",
"title": "Will BART's Program to Battle Sexual Harassment Make Riders Feel Safer? | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Will BART's Program to Battle Sexual Harassment Make Riders Feel Safer?",
"datePublished": "2023-09-02T12:02:40-07:00",
"dateModified": "2023-09-01T18:03:32-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "will-barts-program-to-battle-sexual-harassment-make-riders-feel-safer",
"status": "publish",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11959973/will-barts-program-to-battle-sexual-harassment-make-riders-feel-safer",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>After Phase 1 launched two years ago, BART is now expanding its effort to battle sexual harassment and gender-based violence on the transit system — or, at least, battle the perception of BART as unsafe for women and genderqueer riders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Phase 2 comes at a time when we are doing everything we can do to win riders back. … and that starts with safety,” said Alicia Trost, BART’s chief communications officer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When BART began collecting data on sexual harassment in 2020, they found that 10% of people surveyed had experienced gender-based violence within the last six months. Almost three years later — and two years after the start of its “Not One More Girl” prevention campaign — that number is still at 10% today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the biggest challenge, said BART officials, may simply be the perception riders have of its system. A survey of 274 students in east Contra Costa found over 45% said they did not feel safe on BART. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230729\">with ridership numbers still at 40% of pre-COVID trips\u003c/a>, the agency is facing a “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11952821/1-1-billion-state-bailout-proposed-for-transit-agencies-facing-fiscal-cliff\">fiscal cliff\u003c/a>.” A rollout of new gates, which make it harder to evade fares, is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956833/bart-board-votes-to-oppose-bill-that-would-decriminalize-fare-evasion\">part of the agency’s effort\u003c/a> to change perceptions and woo back riders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The first part of the “Not One More Girl” initiative, which began in April 2021, collected data on sexual harassment and added tools to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/about/police/bartwatch\">the BART Watch App\u003c/a> (an app to report crime on BART) that would make it easier to report noncriminal harassment. During its first year, just 29 people reported noncriminal harassment, according to BART.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what may have been most noticeable, though, was the increase in BART’s unarmed safety personnel, expanding the numbers of transit ambassadors and crisis intervention specialists. Last year they added 10 ambassadors, and 15 crisis specialists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This next phase will focus, instead, on how bystanders can help prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are demanding awareness from our community,” said Franchesca Rodriguez, the transit justice facilitator for the Betti Ono Foundation. Rodriguez was part of the initial group providing input and suggestions to BART on this second phase of the program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She joined BART officials and other community organizations on Thursday at the station in downtown Berkeley to describe the next parts of the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART’s goal is for “a future of data-driven policy and programming to better uphold riders’ safety — with girls and gender-expansive youth of color at the center,” said Chantal Hildebrand, deputy director for the Alliance of Girls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s what Phase 2 has planned:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Shorter trains\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART officials typically recommend that people sit in the front car if they’re traveling alone. That’s because the train operator is at the very front, too — making you not entirely alone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Trost, BART’s communications person, says that “[young people] don’t like to wait at the end of the platform where the first car lands, because it’s dark and sketchy.” The solution? Make cars shorter. That way if someone is waiting for the first train car, they don’t have to wait near the corner. This also will lead to less empty cars overall, which BART officials believe will reduce harassment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11959977\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 640px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/?attachment_id=11959977\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-11959977\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-11959977\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1020x1330.jpg\" alt=\"two colorful cards say 'i got you' and 'you got me?'\" width=\"640\" height=\"835\" srcset=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1020x1330.jpg 1020w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-800x1043.jpg 800w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-160x209.jpg 160w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771-1178x1536.jpg 1178w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/cards-scaled-e1693612358771.jpg 1561w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">These cards are meant to be used either asking for help or offering it. \u003ccite>(Billy Cruz/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To make up for these shorter trains and to decrease the amount of time people have to wait at stations, BART officials said the agency will also soon increase frequency at nights and on weekends.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Bystander intervention cards\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>BART is also offering two colorful paper cards so riders, in theory, can discreetly ask or offer help. The cards are the same size as a Clipper card and can be found at station agent booths or with transit ambassadors and crisis intervention specialists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One card says, “You got me?” and asks for help. It also provides details on what a bystander can do to get assistance for the person who needs help. The other card says “I got you.” The idea, here, is that if you see someone being harassed, you can discreetly give them one of these cards, letting them know someone’s looking out for them. It signals to the person in distress that you can and will help them if they need, whether it be through the BART Watch App or by calling BART police.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Safety posters\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Local artist Safi Kolozsvari Regalado has also designed three posters that are currently on 300 BART trains and at several BART stations. The posters offer safety tips in a youthful comic-book style. One explains how the front train car is the safest. Another shows what the BART Watch App can be used for and encourages people to download it. All highlight scenes of bystander intervention. The posters also explain the larger initiative, and include a QR code that directs you to \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/guide/safety/gbv\">a BART webpage on gender-based violence\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1697380108473143338"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the posters are already up, the bystander intervention cards, shorter trains and change in train frequency will start on Sept. 11.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11959973/will-barts-program-to-battle-sexual-harassment-make-riders-feel-safer",
"authors": [
"11877"
],
"categories": [
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_2838"
],
"featImg": "news_11959976",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11958899": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11958899",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11958899",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1692829477000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "do-you-love-barts-nixon-era-train-cars-ride-now-because-theyre-about-to-go-away",
"title": "Do You Love BART's Nixon-Era Train Cars? Ride Now, Because They're About to Go Away",
"publishDate": 1692829477,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Do You Love BART’s Nixon-Era Train Cars? Ride Now, Because They’re About to Go Away | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>BART’s classic old train cars — maybe “classic” should be in quotes — have a storied history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When they began service in the previous century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2016/09/nixon-rides-bart/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a soon-to-be-disgraced president of the United States\u003c/a> was one of the first to ride them. After his ride in September 1972, Richard Nixon was impressed and said BART made a good case for shifting federal transportation money from highways to mass transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958860\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11958860\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-800x536.jpg\" alt=\"President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon riding on BART in September 1972.\" width=\"800\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-1020x684.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281.jpg 1546w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon during their Sept. 27, 1972, BART ride from San Leandro to Lake Merritt station. They were accompanied by BART General Manager B.R. Stokes, facing away from camera. \u003ccite>(Larry Tiscornia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Later, the cars did heroic duty as BART ran 24 hours a day for a month after the Bay Bridge was knocked out of service by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still later, when BART was no longer a novelty and crowded trains had become the norm, enterprising journalists swabbed the cars’ wool-upholstered seats and determined \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/us/06bcseats.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">they were crawling with germs\u003c/a>.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"news_11642626,news_11791910,news_10969699\"]OK, so maybe that’s not such a glorious past. And maybe that’s not giving the cars their full due for the part they played in BART’s creation story. The vehicles were designed with the idea that if trains were \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220610-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fast enough, sleek enough and plush enough\u003c/a>, they’d help attract riders who wanted an alternative to driving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have been, or once were, \u003ca href=\"https://infospigot.com/2022/06/26/a-bart-memory/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a regular BART rider\u003c/a>, and especially if you were a patron before the pandemic, you probably got used to spending an hour or two a day in those cars: sitting, standing, sleeping, wondering why the air conditioning didn’t work better (or at all), trying to catch what the train operator was saying over the public address system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now those old vehicles seem to have grown extra dingy. That’s especially apparent when you look at them side-by-side with BART’s still fresh-looking new cars, which began service in January 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11845752\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845752\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-800x533.jpg\" alt='\"\"' width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A car from BART’s ‘Fleet of the Future’ (right) alongside one of the transit agency’s old cars at Pleasant Hill Station in October 2016. \u003ccite>(Dan Brekke/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After a slow start to the ambitious car replacement program, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11853438/computer-glitches-and-flattened-wheels-prompt-bart-to-pause-new-fleet-delivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a long pause\u003c/a> caused by problems with some of the new fleet’s software and hardware, the agency is now running more than 560 of the new cars. With BART about to start running shorter trains on all of its routes, the supply of new cars will be more than enough to operate the agency’s daily service without using the tired-looking legacy fleet. (The reason for shorter trains: \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BART says (PDF)\u003c/a> that will make trains easier to police, simpler to keep clean and cheaper to run.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So next month, on Sept. 11, exactly 51 years after they carried their first paying passengers, the old cars will be retired from regular service. If for some reason you want one last reminder of the sights, the sounds, the smells of the legacy fleet, this is your chance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One might think a ceremony is in order, and BART General Manager Robert Powers told KQED during a media ride-along Tuesday that the agency will sponsor a farewell ride for the old train cars. No date for that event has been set.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Powers did not sound overly nostalgic about the end of the legacy fleet era. From a durability and reliability standpoint, he said, the old cars “have really performed. But change is inevitable, and change is good, and these new cars are just so superior.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you really, really miss the old cars, don’t lose heart. The Western Railway Museum, in Solano County near Rio Vista, has purchased one of the legacy vehicles — in fact, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/oursf/article/Richard-Nixon-resigned-but-the-1972-BART-car-he-15674008.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the one that Nixon rode on in 1972\u003c/a> — for a future exhibit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The transit agency is retiring its original cars as part of revamped service that will begin September 11. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721110863,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 13,
"wordCount": 679
},
"headData": {
"title": "Do You Love BART's Nixon-Era Train Cars? Ride Now, Because They're About to Go Away | KQED",
"description": "The transit agency is retiring its original cars as part of revamped service that will begin September 11. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Do You Love BART's Nixon-Era Train Cars? Ride Now, Because They're About to Go Away",
"datePublished": "2023-08-23T15:24:37-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-15T23:21:03-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11958899/do-you-love-barts-nixon-era-train-cars-ride-now-because-theyre-about-to-go-away",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>BART’s classic old train cars — maybe “classic” should be in quotes — have a storied history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When they began service in the previous century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2016/09/nixon-rides-bart/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a soon-to-be-disgraced president of the United States\u003c/a> was one of the first to ride them. After his ride in September 1972, Richard Nixon was impressed and said BART made a good case for shifting federal transportation money from highways to mass transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11958860\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11958860\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-800x536.jpg\" alt=\"President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon riding on BART in September 1972.\" width=\"800\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-800x536.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-1020x684.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/GettyImages-1298895281.jpg 1546w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon during their Sept. 27, 1972, BART ride from San Leandro to Lake Merritt station. They were accompanied by BART General Manager B.R. Stokes, facing away from camera. \u003ccite>(Larry Tiscornia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Later, the cars did heroic duty as BART ran 24 hours a day for a month after the Bay Bridge was knocked out of service by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still later, when BART was no longer a novelty and crowded trains had become the norm, enterprising journalists swabbed the cars’ wool-upholstered seats and determined \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/us/06bcseats.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">they were crawling with germs\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "news_11642626,news_11791910,news_10969699"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>OK, so maybe that’s not such a glorious past. And maybe that’s not giving the cars their full due for the part they played in BART’s creation story. The vehicles were designed with the idea that if trains were \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220610-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fast enough, sleek enough and plush enough\u003c/a>, they’d help attract riders who wanted an alternative to driving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you have been, or once were, \u003ca href=\"https://infospigot.com/2022/06/26/a-bart-memory/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a regular BART rider\u003c/a>, and especially if you were a patron before the pandemic, you probably got used to spending an hour or two a day in those cars: sitting, standing, sleeping, wondering why the air conditioning didn’t work better (or at all), trying to catch what the train operator was saying over the public address system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now those old vehicles seem to have grown extra dingy. That’s especially apparent when you look at them side-by-side with BART’s still fresh-looking new cars, which began service in January 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11845752\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11845752\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-800x533.jpg\" alt='\"\"' width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/11/bartcars_danbrekke.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A car from BART’s ‘Fleet of the Future’ (right) alongside one of the transit agency’s old cars at Pleasant Hill Station in October 2016. \u003ccite>(Dan Brekke/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After a slow start to the ambitious car replacement program, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11853438/computer-glitches-and-flattened-wheels-prompt-bart-to-pause-new-fleet-delivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a long pause\u003c/a> caused by problems with some of the new fleet’s software and hardware, the agency is now running more than 560 of the new cars. With BART about to start running shorter trains on all of its routes, the supply of new cars will be more than enough to operate the agency’s daily service without using the tired-looking legacy fleet. (The reason for shorter trains: \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23924017/bart-sizing-trains-for-safety-and-efficiency-presentation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BART says (PDF)\u003c/a> that will make trains easier to police, simpler to keep clean and cheaper to run.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So next month, on Sept. 11, exactly 51 years after they carried their first paying passengers, the old cars will be retired from regular service. If for some reason you want one last reminder of the sights, the sounds, the smells of the legacy fleet, this is your chance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One might think a ceremony is in order, and BART General Manager Robert Powers told KQED during a media ride-along Tuesday that the agency will sponsor a farewell ride for the old train cars. No date for that event has been set.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Powers did not sound overly nostalgic about the end of the legacy fleet era. From a durability and reliability standpoint, he said, the old cars “have really performed. But change is inevitable, and change is good, and these new cars are just so superior.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you really, really miss the old cars, don’t lose heart. The Western Railway Museum, in Solano County near Rio Vista, has purchased one of the legacy vehicles — in fact, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/oursf/article/Richard-Nixon-resigned-but-the-1972-BART-car-he-15674008.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the one that Nixon rode on in 1972\u003c/a> — for a future exhibit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11958899/do-you-love-barts-nixon-era-train-cars-ride-now-because-theyre-about-to-go-away",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_2684"
],
"featImg": "news_11958827",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11958604": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11958604",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11958604",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1692640857000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bridge-toll-increase-would-help-transit-how-much-will-it-hurt-commuters",
"title": "Bill to Raise Bay Area Bridge Tolls to Help Transit Put on Hold Amid Local Opposition",
"publishDate": 1692640857,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Bill to Raise Bay Area Bridge Tolls to Help Transit Put on Hold Amid Local Opposition | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, Monday, Aug. 21: \u003c/strong>State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced early Monday he’s “pausing” \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, a proposal to impose a $1.50 bridge toll increase to support Bay Area transit agencies facing a fiscal crisis because of pandemic-related ridership losses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill, which would have required a two-thirds majority to pass both houses of the state Legislature, caused a split in the Bay Area’s Assembly and Senate delegations. Seven members joined Wiener as co-authors while half a dozen lawmakers from the region said they opposed the toll increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been trying to build more consensus within our Bay Area legislative delegation, and it became apparent last week that we did not have enough time to do the consensus building that we needed to do for this bill to be able to pass before the end of session,” Wiener told KQED in an interview Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener said he’ll work with Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), one of the bill’s opponents, to consider new transit-funding proposals to help Bay Area transit agencies avoid service cuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Assemblymember Wilson and I have committed to each other that we will co-facilitate a process over the fall recess to try to come up with a solution,” Wiener said. “And the fact that I’m the author of this bill and she was a skeptic of the bill, that’s a powerful combination and she’s a very constructive partner. And I’m optimistic we’ll be able to get something done.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wilson said in a Monday interview that she recognizes the magnitude of the fiscal crisis facing transit agencies. But she said she opposed the toll increase because of its impact on drivers in her district — which includes Solano County and far eastern Contra Costa County — and because it would deliver little direct benefit to transit agencies there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Typically, she said, a portion of tolls collected from drivers in a given county is reinvested in that county to support its public transit and other transportation needs. But that wouldn’t have been the case with SB 532.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With this particular toll, it is need-based, and so it is going to those [transit agencies] that have the highest need currently,” Wilson said. “That’s BART, Muni and AC Transit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said that would mean that residents who currently drive because there are few robust public transit options in their communities would be put in the position of subsidizing agencies to which they have little access.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So I struggled with that quite a deal,” Wilson said, especially when tolls are already scheduled to increase from $7 to $8 per crossing in January 2025. The toll to help transit would have raised the fee to $9.50 through the end of 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Muni spokesperson Erica Kato said the withdrawal of SB 532 was “very disappointing, and it’s a blow to our efforts to maintain Muni service after federal pandemic relief funds run out next year. But we’re going to keep fighting for the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on Muni every single day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART, whose elected board voted to support SB 532 in June, said it anticipates being involved in further discussions with Sen. Wiener and other legislators on funding ideas. Many who opposed the proposed toll increase were critical of the measure because it did not come along with formal guarantees that BART would improve its performance on public safety, cleanliness and fiscal accountability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“BART will continue to work with legislators on accountability measures in the future,” a BART spokesperson said in an email. “BART staff will continue to offer our assistance to the Senator and other lawmakers as they work to find a consensus solution to this regional issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART board member Debora Allen, who represents central Contra Costa County, had voted against supporting SB 532. She said the agency and the Legislature need to focus on long-term measures that address not only revenue needs but also deficits that will exceed $300 million a year after 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think SB 532 was the wrong approach for funding BART, and I am glad to see it being placed on hold because I think the Legislature and BART need to come together with a comprehensive plan for both funding and reducing spending,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Council, which has called on BART to make urgent improvements to passenger safety and overall customer experience, also applauded Wiener’s suspension of SB 532.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We need our transit operators to make the necessary structural changes to bring their operations and budgets in line with both today’s fiscal realities and the tectonic changes that decimated ridership and have kept riders away from our transit systems, including addressing crime, safety and cleanliness,” Jim Wunderman, the council’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We can’t continue to fund unsustainable transit operations that aren’t meeting the needs of riders for a safe, convenient and seamless commute.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original story, Saturday, Aug. 19: \u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Bridge Toll Increase Would Help Transit. How Much Would It Hurt Drivers?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A bill that would impose a $1.50 toll increase on Bay Area bridges to provide emergency funding for BART, Muni and other transit operators has sparked a debate over whether the added charge will fall disproportionately on lower-income commuters already struggling with the region’s high cost of living.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That issue was at the top of a list of concerns raised in \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23919424/congressional-letter-on-sb-532-bridge-toll-increase.pdf\">a letter last month from seven Bay Area members of Congress (PDF)\u003c/a>, led by Rep. Mark De Saulnier (D-Walnut Creek), that urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders to oppose the bill. The Bay Area Council, a group counting 300 businesses and institutions as members, has also \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/transportation/seven-bay-area-congressional-representatives-decry-bridge-toll-increase-as-not-in-best-interests-of-residents/\">expressed similar displeasure \u003c/a>with the toll increase bill, \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Many employees now have the advantage to do their work from home,” the letter concluded. “There are others, the working people of the Bay Area, that don’t share this advantage, and the proposed toll hike comes straight out of their wallets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But \u003ca href=\"https://www.spur.org/news/2023-08-16/who-will-be-helped-and-harmed-proposed-toll-increase-bay-area-bridges\">a new analysis from SPUR\u003c/a>, a regional planning and public policy think tank, challenges some of the assumptions behind that argument.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23919428/spur-analysis-who-will-be-helped-and-harmed-by-a-proposed-toll-increase-for-bay-area-bridges.pdf\">a report (PDF)\u003c/a> released this week, SPUR said a study of traffic patterns on the region’s seven state-owned bridges shows that two-thirds of drivers make just one toll crossing a week. That finding would mean those drivers’ weekly exposure to higher tolls would be limited to a single $1.50 charge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The analysis also found just a small fraction of bridge users — 8% — cross more than one bridge per trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And finally, SPUR said a side-by-side comparison of bridge users and BART passengers shows that, in general, those driving over the bridges have significantly higher incomes than people taking the train. At the same time, BART customers are more likely to be traveling to work than those crossing the toll bridges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taken as a whole, SPUR says the analysis shows that those who drive across the bridges are more likely to be able to absorb the cost of the higher bridge tolls while lower-income transit users, like those who use BART, would lose out if a lack of funding forces agencies to slash service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The analysis is based on modeling by Replica, a big-data firm with offices in Oakland that used census, toll payment, cell phone, credit card and other public and private information to create a “synthetic representation” of travel patterns.[pullquote align=\"right\" size=\"medium\" citation=\"Sebastian Petty, transportation policy manager, SPUR\"]‘When you’re looking at the bridge and the people driving across it, a lot of those folks are not engaged in their day-to-day commute … It’s people making regional trips, people making occasional work trips, people going to the airport, people visiting, shopping.’[/pullquote]Sebastian Petty, transportation policy manager at SPUR, said in an interview he was surprised at the high number of drivers who make a toll crossing just once a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When you’re looking at the bridge and the people driving across it, a lot of those folks are not engaged in their day-to-day commute,” he said. “Certainly many of them are, but it’s not as though, you know, 80 out of 100 cars are doing their day-to-day commute trip. It’s people making regional trips, people making occasional work trips, people going to the airport, people visiting, shopping.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Petty said the data in the report suggest a number of ways SB 532 could be amended to reduce the impact on lower-income drivers who make more frequent trips across the toll bridges. One way to do that, he said, was to cap the number of weekly toll crossings for which individual drivers would be charged the extra $1.50.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you wanted to make sure that you weren’t over cost-burdening lower-income folks who are working an in-person job and need to show up five days a week, you could still capture a significant majority of the bridge traffic if you were to cap the toll at something like a maximum of three crossings per week,” Petty said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Similarly, drivers who must use two or more bridges could be given a “long-distance discount” and only charged for one toll crossing per trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SB 532 would hike tolls by $1.50 for five years starting next Jan. 1. Sen. Wiener says the increase would raise as much as $900 million for Bay Area transit operators who face major deficits beginning in 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Supporters include BART, AC Transit, public transportation advocacy groups, environmental activists, nine YIMBY chapters and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. Seven state lawmakers from the region have signed on to the bill as co-authors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener has acknowledged the equity issue posed by the proposed toll increases and has amended his bill to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to devise a program over the next two years to reduce the hike’s impact on lower-income drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that amendment has done little to soften the opposition from some elected officials. In addition to the seven House members who raised objections to the bill, several state lawmakers, mostly from outlying parts of the Bay Area, have also said \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-lawmakers-oppose-raising-bridge-tolls-18176112.php\">they’re against the toll increase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the chief concerns is that the $1.50 toll increase will come on top of a series of other increases \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11672904/bay-area-bridge-toll-increase-appears-headed-for-passage\">approved by Bay Area voters in 2018\u003c/a>. Regional Measure 3 has raised tolls on the Antioch, Benicia, Carquinez, Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, San Mateo and Dumbarton bridges to $7 over the last several years. If SB 532 passes, the rate will go up to $8.50 in January. And the next toll increase under RM3 will add a dollar to that on New Year’s Day 2025.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"news_11952821,news_11942359,news_11954314\"]With the bill needing a two-thirds majority in both the state Assembly and Senate to pass, the split in the regional delegation raises questions about prospects for the bill’s success.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Council has been the leading voice in opposing the measure. Besides expressing concerns about the higher tolls’ impact on lower-income drivers, the group has insisted that public transit agencies must improve performance on a range of issues — including public safety, cleanliness, reliability and offering more “seamless” service for passengers — before new public funding is approved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much of the council’s attention has been focused on BART, with the group issuing several calls in recent months for the agency to toughen enforcement of passenger conduct rules and to speed up installation of a new generation of fare gates to deter those who enter the system without paying.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART has responded by approving a 22% pay increase for its police force, a step meant to retain officers and help fill nearly 30 vacant positions in its Police Department.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And ahead of a crucial Assembly Appropriations Committee vote on SB 532 this week, BART General Manager Robert Powers will host a ride-along with Sen. Wiener to show off the agency’s recent “safety, cleanliness and reliability improvements.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The ride-along will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Civic Center station and visit West Oakland station and the BART police “integrated security response center,” a facility that handles police dispatch calls and includes monitors for the system’s 4,000 surveillance cameras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The bill, which author Sen. Scott Wiener has 'paused' in the face of opposition, would have raised tolls on bridges by $1.50. A new analysis argued the impact on lower-income drivers would be limited.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721149917,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 43,
"wordCount": 2199
},
"headData": {
"title": "Bill to Raise Bay Area Bridge Tolls to Help Transit Put on Hold Amid Local Opposition | KQED",
"description": "The bill, which author Sen. Scott Wiener has 'paused' in the face of opposition, would have raised tolls on bridges by $1.50. A new analysis argued the impact on lower-income drivers would be limited.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Bill to Raise Bay Area Bridge Tolls to Help Transit Put on Hold Amid Local Opposition",
"datePublished": "2023-08-21T11:00:57-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-16T10:11:57-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11958604/bridge-toll-increase-would-help-transit-how-much-will-it-hurt-commuters",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, Monday, Aug. 21: \u003c/strong>State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced early Monday he’s “pausing” \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, a proposal to impose a $1.50 bridge toll increase to support Bay Area transit agencies facing a fiscal crisis because of pandemic-related ridership losses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill, which would have required a two-thirds majority to pass both houses of the state Legislature, caused a split in the Bay Area’s Assembly and Senate delegations. Seven members joined Wiener as co-authors while half a dozen lawmakers from the region said they opposed the toll increase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve been trying to build more consensus within our Bay Area legislative delegation, and it became apparent last week that we did not have enough time to do the consensus building that we needed to do for this bill to be able to pass before the end of session,” Wiener told KQED in an interview Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener said he’ll work with Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), one of the bill’s opponents, to consider new transit-funding proposals to help Bay Area transit agencies avoid service cuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Assemblymember Wilson and I have committed to each other that we will co-facilitate a process over the fall recess to try to come up with a solution,” Wiener said. “And the fact that I’m the author of this bill and she was a skeptic of the bill, that’s a powerful combination and she’s a very constructive partner. And I’m optimistic we’ll be able to get something done.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wilson said in a Monday interview that she recognizes the magnitude of the fiscal crisis facing transit agencies. But she said she opposed the toll increase because of its impact on drivers in her district — which includes Solano County and far eastern Contra Costa County — and because it would deliver little direct benefit to transit agencies there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Typically, she said, a portion of tolls collected from drivers in a given county is reinvested in that county to support its public transit and other transportation needs. But that wouldn’t have been the case with SB 532.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With this particular toll, it is need-based, and so it is going to those [transit agencies] that have the highest need currently,” Wilson said. “That’s BART, Muni and AC Transit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said that would mean that residents who currently drive because there are few robust public transit options in their communities would be put in the position of subsidizing agencies to which they have little access.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So I struggled with that quite a deal,” Wilson said, especially when tolls are already scheduled to increase from $7 to $8 per crossing in January 2025. The toll to help transit would have raised the fee to $9.50 through the end of 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, Muni spokesperson Erica Kato said the withdrawal of SB 532 was “very disappointing, and it’s a blow to our efforts to maintain Muni service after federal pandemic relief funds run out next year. But we’re going to keep fighting for the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on Muni every single day.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART, whose elected board voted to support SB 532 in June, said it anticipates being involved in further discussions with Sen. Wiener and other legislators on funding ideas. Many who opposed the proposed toll increase were critical of the measure because it did not come along with formal guarantees that BART would improve its performance on public safety, cleanliness and fiscal accountability.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“BART will continue to work with legislators on accountability measures in the future,” a BART spokesperson said in an email. “BART staff will continue to offer our assistance to the Senator and other lawmakers as they work to find a consensus solution to this regional issue.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART board member Debora Allen, who represents central Contra Costa County, had voted against supporting SB 532. She said the agency and the Legislature need to focus on long-term measures that address not only revenue needs but also deficits that will exceed $300 million a year after 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think SB 532 was the wrong approach for funding BART, and I am glad to see it being placed on hold because I think the Legislature and BART need to come together with a comprehensive plan for both funding and reducing spending,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Council, which has called on BART to make urgent improvements to passenger safety and overall customer experience, also applauded Wiener’s suspension of SB 532.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We need our transit operators to make the necessary structural changes to bring their operations and budgets in line with both today’s fiscal realities and the tectonic changes that decimated ridership and have kept riders away from our transit systems, including addressing crime, safety and cleanliness,” Jim Wunderman, the council’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We can’t continue to fund unsustainable transit operations that aren’t meeting the needs of riders for a safe, convenient and seamless commute.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original story, Saturday, Aug. 19: \u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Bridge Toll Increase Would Help Transit. How Much Would It Hurt Drivers?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A bill that would impose a $1.50 toll increase on Bay Area bridges to provide emergency funding for BART, Muni and other transit operators has sparked a debate over whether the added charge will fall disproportionately on lower-income commuters already struggling with the region’s high cost of living.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That issue was at the top of a list of concerns raised in \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23919424/congressional-letter-on-sb-532-bridge-toll-increase.pdf\">a letter last month from seven Bay Area members of Congress (PDF)\u003c/a>, led by Rep. Mark De Saulnier (D-Walnut Creek), that urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders to oppose the bill. The Bay Area Council, a group counting 300 businesses and institutions as members, has also \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/transportation/seven-bay-area-congressional-representatives-decry-bridge-toll-increase-as-not-in-best-interests-of-residents/\">expressed similar displeasure \u003c/a>with the toll increase bill, \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Many employees now have the advantage to do their work from home,” the letter concluded. “There are others, the working people of the Bay Area, that don’t share this advantage, and the proposed toll hike comes straight out of their wallets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But \u003ca href=\"https://www.spur.org/news/2023-08-16/who-will-be-helped-and-harmed-proposed-toll-increase-bay-area-bridges\">a new analysis from SPUR\u003c/a>, a regional planning and public policy think tank, challenges some of the assumptions behind that argument.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In \u003ca href=\"https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23919428/spur-analysis-who-will-be-helped-and-harmed-by-a-proposed-toll-increase-for-bay-area-bridges.pdf\">a report (PDF)\u003c/a> released this week, SPUR said a study of traffic patterns on the region’s seven state-owned bridges shows that two-thirds of drivers make just one toll crossing a week. That finding would mean those drivers’ weekly exposure to higher tolls would be limited to a single $1.50 charge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The analysis also found just a small fraction of bridge users — 8% — cross more than one bridge per trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And finally, SPUR said a side-by-side comparison of bridge users and BART passengers shows that, in general, those driving over the bridges have significantly higher incomes than people taking the train. At the same time, BART customers are more likely to be traveling to work than those crossing the toll bridges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taken as a whole, SPUR says the analysis shows that those who drive across the bridges are more likely to be able to absorb the cost of the higher bridge tolls while lower-income transit users, like those who use BART, would lose out if a lack of funding forces agencies to slash service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The analysis is based on modeling by Replica, a big-data firm with offices in Oakland that used census, toll payment, cell phone, credit card and other public and private information to create a “synthetic representation” of travel patterns.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘When you’re looking at the bridge and the people driving across it, a lot of those folks are not engaged in their day-to-day commute … It’s people making regional trips, people making occasional work trips, people going to the airport, people visiting, shopping.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"align": "right",
"size": "medium",
"citation": "Sebastian Petty, transportation policy manager, SPUR",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Sebastian Petty, transportation policy manager at SPUR, said in an interview he was surprised at the high number of drivers who make a toll crossing just once a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When you’re looking at the bridge and the people driving across it, a lot of those folks are not engaged in their day-to-day commute,” he said. “Certainly many of them are, but it’s not as though, you know, 80 out of 100 cars are doing their day-to-day commute trip. It’s people making regional trips, people making occasional work trips, people going to the airport, people visiting, shopping.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Petty said the data in the report suggest a number of ways SB 532 could be amended to reduce the impact on lower-income drivers who make more frequent trips across the toll bridges. One way to do that, he said, was to cap the number of weekly toll crossings for which individual drivers would be charged the extra $1.50.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you wanted to make sure that you weren’t over cost-burdening lower-income folks who are working an in-person job and need to show up five days a week, you could still capture a significant majority of the bridge traffic if you were to cap the toll at something like a maximum of three crossings per week,” Petty said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Similarly, drivers who must use two or more bridges could be given a “long-distance discount” and only charged for one toll crossing per trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SB 532 would hike tolls by $1.50 for five years starting next Jan. 1. Sen. Wiener says the increase would raise as much as $900 million for Bay Area transit operators who face major deficits beginning in 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Supporters include BART, AC Transit, public transportation advocacy groups, environmental activists, nine YIMBY chapters and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. Seven state lawmakers from the region have signed on to the bill as co-authors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener has acknowledged the equity issue posed by the proposed toll increases and has amended his bill to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to devise a program over the next two years to reduce the hike’s impact on lower-income drivers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that amendment has done little to soften the opposition from some elected officials. In addition to the seven House members who raised objections to the bill, several state lawmakers, mostly from outlying parts of the Bay Area, have also said \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-lawmakers-oppose-raising-bridge-tolls-18176112.php\">they’re against the toll increase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the chief concerns is that the $1.50 toll increase will come on top of a series of other increases \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11672904/bay-area-bridge-toll-increase-appears-headed-for-passage\">approved by Bay Area voters in 2018\u003c/a>. Regional Measure 3 has raised tolls on the Antioch, Benicia, Carquinez, Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, San Mateo and Dumbarton bridges to $7 over the last several years. If SB 532 passes, the rate will go up to $8.50 in January. And the next toll increase under RM3 will add a dollar to that on New Year’s Day 2025.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "news_11952821,news_11942359,news_11954314"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>With the bill needing a two-thirds majority in both the state Assembly and Senate to pass, the split in the regional delegation raises questions about prospects for the bill’s success.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Council has been the leading voice in opposing the measure. Besides expressing concerns about the higher tolls’ impact on lower-income drivers, the group has insisted that public transit agencies must improve performance on a range of issues — including public safety, cleanliness, reliability and offering more “seamless” service for passengers — before new public funding is approved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Much of the council’s attention has been focused on BART, with the group issuing several calls in recent months for the agency to toughen enforcement of passenger conduct rules and to speed up installation of a new generation of fare gates to deter those who enter the system without paying.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>BART has responded by approving a 22% pay increase for its police force, a step meant to retain officers and help fill nearly 30 vacant positions in its Police Department.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And ahead of a crucial Assembly Appropriations Committee vote on SB 532 this week, BART General Manager Robert Powers will host a ride-along with Sen. Wiener to show off the agency’s recent “safety, cleanliness and reliability improvements.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The ride-along will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Civic Center station and visit West Oakland station and the BART police “integrated security response center,” a facility that handles police dispatch calls and includes monitors for the system’s 4,000 surveillance cameras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11958604/bridge-toll-increase-would-help-transit-how-much-will-it-hurt-commuters",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_23368",
"news_320",
"news_32029"
],
"featImg": "news_11958608",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11956833": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11956833",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11956833",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1690580762000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bart-board-votes-to-oppose-bill-that-would-decriminalize-fare-evasion",
"title": "BART Board Votes to Oppose Bill That Would Decriminalize Fare Evasion",
"publishDate": 1690580762,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "BART Board Votes to Oppose Bill That Would Decriminalize Fare Evasion | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>In a decision that centered on a longstanding subject of rider complaints, a divided BART Board of Directors voted Thursday to oppose a bill in the Legislature that would end criminal penalties for those who repeatedly fail to pay transit fares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 5–3 vote featured two of the board’s more progressive directors joining its most conservative member in coming out against \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB819\">AB 819\u003c/a>, by Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California law currently treats a person’s first two fare-evasion offenses as infractions, with citations carrying a $250 penalty. The third and subsequent offenses are misdemeanors that may be punished with a fine of as much as $400, up to 90 days in jail, or both.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bryan’s bill would remove the criminal penalties. Those third and subsequent offenses would instead be treated as infractions and be punishable by a fine of up to $400.[aside postID=news_11952821,forum_2010101890643,news_11932690 label='More on BART']Bryan and the bill’s supporters say the change is needed because fare enforcement disproportionately targets people of color on transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The BART board’s consideration of the bill was prompted by Debora Allen of Contra Costa County, who has often called for tougher policing of the system during her six-plus years on the board.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The board’s discussion touched on both the direct financial losses BART has suffered through gate-jumping — estimated at as much as $25 million annually before the pandemic — and the role fare evasion may play in thwarting attempts to win back riders who stopped riding after the onset of COVID in March 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen said Thursday that public surveys, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/CS2022_Report_040423.pdf\">BART’s own most recent customer satisfaction survey (PDF)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/press-releases/new-poll-overwhelming-support-for-more-police-on-bart-greater-focus-on-cleanliness-and-stronger-enforcement-of-rules/\">a Bay Area Council poll\u003c/a> released in May, show that most riders are unhappy with the district’s efforts to curb fare evasion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The public is speaking very loud to us right now — and they have been — about the lack of enforcement of rules in our system,” Allen said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pointing to BART Police Department statistics that show as many as 80% of those arrested for crimes on the system have not paid a fare, she said, “I can’t help but say we could help prevent some of the bad behavior in our system by getting tougher on fare evasion.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She acknowledged that the agency is also moving to replace its fare gates with a model that will be more difficult to jump over, push through or wriggle under. The first of those gates will be installed later this year, with all gates to be replaced by the end of 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to do something in the meantime to say to the riding public that we really care about them and we want to do everything we can to keep them safe, especially at a time like this when we are begging for people to return to BART,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen made the motion for the board to take a formal position opposing AB 819.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Board President Janice Li of San Francisco pushed back, saying BART has already taken strong steps to respond to rider concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She pointed to an initiative launched last March to increase the presence of police officers, fare inspectors and other uniformed staff on trains and in stations. Another sign of the agency’s commitment to passenger safety, she argued, was its approval last month of a 22% increase in police salaries. The raise is designed to retain current officers and attract new ones to help fill about 30 vacant officer positions.[aside postID=news_11926505 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/08/Not-One-More-Girl-_53_MJA_04022021-1020x680.jpg']“All of those things I 100% support, and I think that is the big picture, and that is what the riders, that is what the general public wants,” Li said. “They want to know that we’re going to be there and that we are doing everything we can to prevent and intervene harm from occurring in our stations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Li also pointed to BART police statistics that suggest the proposed change in the fare evasion law would have little impact on the agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the police data presented to the board in a staff report, officers issued about 2,350 citations for fare evasion in 2021; 48 of those were criminal misdemeanor citations issued to those who had failed to pay a fare three or more times. In 2022, officers wrote 1,800 citations, with 26 being misdemeanors that could carry criminal penalties.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Due to the infrequency of misdemeanor cases referred for fare evasion in 2021 and 2022, if AB 819 becomes law, the impact on the district would likely be insignificant,” the report concluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like Li, board member Rebecca Saltzman said she’d prefer the board not take a position on AB 819.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Saltzman, whose district covers parts of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Orinda and Lafayette, went on to say she supports the bill’s intent to end criminal prosecution of fare evasion, pointing to the non-criminal treatment of drivers who commit similar offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are a lot of infractions in our society around cars — parking tickets, evading tolls. None of those lead to a misdemeanor just because you have a bunch of them,” Saltzman said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So why is it that I could get 10, 20 parking tickets, evade tolls 10, 20 times, and I’m still not getting a misdemeanor, but because I dare to ride transit and don’t have the fare to pay, I get a misdemeanor?” she asked. “It’s just totally inconsistent. And I think that’s the goal of this bill, to bring it in line with the rest of the ways we enforce in our society.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of those who supported Allen’s motion, however, was San Francisco’s Bevan Dufty, who broke with his progressive allies on the board.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dufty noted that his district includes some of the “most difficult” stations in the BART system, including Civic Center and the two Mission District stations, at 16th Street and 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I have stations that have public safety issues,” Dufty said. “I have stations that can be great one minute and 20 minutes later it’s going off the rails, to use a bad analogy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like Allen, Dufty said he was voting to oppose AB 819 as a response to rider concerns about safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For us to support this legislation or remain neutral on it, I think it does not reflect … the reality that our riders are looking for indications at every turn that we are taking these things seriously,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen and Dufty were joined by Robert Raburn (Oakland), Mark Foley (Antioch) and John McPartland (Castro Valley) in voting to oppose the bill. Lateefah Simon, whose district stretches from western Contra Costa through Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco, voted with Li and Saltzman against the motion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Supporters of the bill argue fare evasion should be decriminalized because data from Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and several other cities show huge disparities between the number of Black riders using transit systems and the number of fare evasion citations they receive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/US-DOT-DOJ-Civil-Rights-Complaint-11-14-16.pdf\">In a 2016 civil rights complaint (PDF)\u003c/a> filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, for instance, the Los Angeles’ Labor Community Strategy Center said its review of several years of LA Metro data found that Black passengers made up about 19% of the system’s ridership but received more than 50% of fare evasion citations. The percentages of citations issued to Latino, white and Asian riders were all lower than those groups’ ridership shares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.washlaw.org/pdf/2018_09_13_unfair_disparity_fair_evasion_enforcement_report.PDF\">A similar analysis (PDF)\u003c/a> released in 2018 by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs looked at 25 months of fare enforcement data from D.C. Metro rail and bus systems. The study found that 91% of the citations issued on Metro went to Black passengers, whom district statistics show made up about 40% of passengers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill being debated, AB 819, passed the Assembly in May by a vote of 61–12, with all Bay Area legislators voting yes. The bill was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee last month and now awaits action in the Senate’s Appropriations Committee when the Legislature returns from its summer recess next month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Concern focuses on many customers' dissatisfaction with the agency's efforts to curb rule-breaking.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721111938,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 33,
"wordCount": 1450
},
"headData": {
"title": "BART Board Votes to Oppose Bill That Would Decriminalize Fare Evasion | KQED",
"description": "Concern focuses on many customers' dissatisfaction with the agency's efforts to curb rule-breaking.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART Board Votes to Oppose Bill That Would Decriminalize Fare Evasion",
"datePublished": "2023-07-28T14:46:02-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-15T23:38:58-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11956833/bart-board-votes-to-oppose-bill-that-would-decriminalize-fare-evasion",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>In a decision that centered on a longstanding subject of rider complaints, a divided BART Board of Directors voted Thursday to oppose a bill in the Legislature that would end criminal penalties for those who repeatedly fail to pay transit fares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 5–3 vote featured two of the board’s more progressive directors joining its most conservative member in coming out against \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB819\">AB 819\u003c/a>, by Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California law currently treats a person’s first two fare-evasion offenses as infractions, with citations carrying a $250 penalty. The third and subsequent offenses are misdemeanors that may be punished with a fine of as much as $400, up to 90 days in jail, or both.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bryan’s bill would remove the criminal penalties. Those third and subsequent offenses would instead be treated as infractions and be punishable by a fine of up to $400.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11952821,forum_2010101890643,news_11932690",
"label": "More on BART "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Bryan and the bill’s supporters say the change is needed because fare enforcement disproportionately targets people of color on transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The BART board’s consideration of the bill was prompted by Debora Allen of Contra Costa County, who has often called for tougher policing of the system during her six-plus years on the board.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The board’s discussion touched on both the direct financial losses BART has suffered through gate-jumping — estimated at as much as $25 million annually before the pandemic — and the role fare evasion may play in thwarting attempts to win back riders who stopped riding after the onset of COVID in March 2020.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen said Thursday that public surveys, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/CS2022_Report_040423.pdf\">BART’s own most recent customer satisfaction survey (PDF)\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareacouncil.org/press-releases/new-poll-overwhelming-support-for-more-police-on-bart-greater-focus-on-cleanliness-and-stronger-enforcement-of-rules/\">a Bay Area Council poll\u003c/a> released in May, show that most riders are unhappy with the district’s efforts to curb fare evasion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The public is speaking very loud to us right now — and they have been — about the lack of enforcement of rules in our system,” Allen said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pointing to BART Police Department statistics that show as many as 80% of those arrested for crimes on the system have not paid a fare, she said, “I can’t help but say we could help prevent some of the bad behavior in our system by getting tougher on fare evasion.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She acknowledged that the agency is also moving to replace its fare gates with a model that will be more difficult to jump over, push through or wriggle under. The first of those gates will be installed later this year, with all gates to be replaced by the end of 2025.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to do something in the meantime to say to the riding public that we really care about them and we want to do everything we can to keep them safe, especially at a time like this when we are begging for people to return to BART,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen made the motion for the board to take a formal position opposing AB 819.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Board President Janice Li of San Francisco pushed back, saying BART has already taken strong steps to respond to rider concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She pointed to an initiative launched last March to increase the presence of police officers, fare inspectors and other uniformed staff on trains and in stations. Another sign of the agency’s commitment to passenger safety, she argued, was its approval last month of a 22% increase in police salaries. The raise is designed to retain current officers and attract new ones to help fill about 30 vacant officer positions.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11926505",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/08/Not-One-More-Girl-_53_MJA_04022021-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“All of those things I 100% support, and I think that is the big picture, and that is what the riders, that is what the general public wants,” Li said. “They want to know that we’re going to be there and that we are doing everything we can to prevent and intervene harm from occurring in our stations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Li also pointed to BART police statistics that suggest the proposed change in the fare evasion law would have little impact on the agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to the police data presented to the board in a staff report, officers issued about 2,350 citations for fare evasion in 2021; 48 of those were criminal misdemeanor citations issued to those who had failed to pay a fare three or more times. In 2022, officers wrote 1,800 citations, with 26 being misdemeanors that could carry criminal penalties.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Due to the infrequency of misdemeanor cases referred for fare evasion in 2021 and 2022, if AB 819 becomes law, the impact on the district would likely be insignificant,” the report concluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like Li, board member Rebecca Saltzman said she’d prefer the board not take a position on AB 819.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Saltzman, whose district covers parts of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Orinda and Lafayette, went on to say she supports the bill’s intent to end criminal prosecution of fare evasion, pointing to the non-criminal treatment of drivers who commit similar offenses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are a lot of infractions in our society around cars — parking tickets, evading tolls. None of those lead to a misdemeanor just because you have a bunch of them,” Saltzman said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So why is it that I could get 10, 20 parking tickets, evade tolls 10, 20 times, and I’m still not getting a misdemeanor, but because I dare to ride transit and don’t have the fare to pay, I get a misdemeanor?” she asked. “It’s just totally inconsistent. And I think that’s the goal of this bill, to bring it in line with the rest of the ways we enforce in our society.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of those who supported Allen’s motion, however, was San Francisco’s Bevan Dufty, who broke with his progressive allies on the board.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dufty noted that his district includes some of the “most difficult” stations in the BART system, including Civic Center and the two Mission District stations, at 16th Street and 24th Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I have stations that have public safety issues,” Dufty said. “I have stations that can be great one minute and 20 minutes later it’s going off the rails, to use a bad analogy.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Like Allen, Dufty said he was voting to oppose AB 819 as a response to rider concerns about safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For us to support this legislation or remain neutral on it, I think it does not reflect … the reality that our riders are looking for indications at every turn that we are taking these things seriously,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allen and Dufty were joined by Robert Raburn (Oakland), Mark Foley (Antioch) and John McPartland (Castro Valley) in voting to oppose the bill. Lateefah Simon, whose district stretches from western Contra Costa through Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco, voted with Li and Saltzman against the motion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Supporters of the bill argue fare evasion should be decriminalized because data from Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and several other cities show huge disparities between the number of Black riders using transit systems and the number of fare evasion citations they receive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://fightforthesoulofthecities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/US-DOT-DOJ-Civil-Rights-Complaint-11-14-16.pdf\">In a 2016 civil rights complaint (PDF)\u003c/a> filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, for instance, the Los Angeles’ Labor Community Strategy Center said its review of several years of LA Metro data found that Black passengers made up about 19% of the system’s ridership but received more than 50% of fare evasion citations. The percentages of citations issued to Latino, white and Asian riders were all lower than those groups’ ridership shares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.washlaw.org/pdf/2018_09_13_unfair_disparity_fair_evasion_enforcement_report.PDF\">A similar analysis (PDF)\u003c/a> released in 2018 by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs looked at 25 months of fare enforcement data from D.C. Metro rail and bus systems. The study found that 91% of the citations issued on Metro went to Black passengers, whom district statistics show made up about 40% of passengers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill being debated, AB 819, passed the Assembly in May by a vote of 61–12, with all Bay Area legislators voting yes. The bill was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee last month and now awaits action in the Senate’s Appropriations Committee when the Legislature returns from its summer recess next month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11956833/bart-board-votes-to-oppose-bill-that-would-decriminalize-fare-evasion",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_2704",
"news_17725"
],
"featImg": "news_11956822",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11955433": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11955433",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955433",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1689182752000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bart-ugly-holiday-sweater-available-presale-now",
"title": "BART's Most Elaborate 'Ugly' Sweater Is Available for Presale Now",
"publishDate": 1689182752,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "BART’s Most Elaborate ‘Ugly’ Sweater Is Available for Presale Now | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The race is on to secure one of the Bay Area’s hottest drops of the season: \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bart\">BART\u003c/a>’s famous ugly sweater is available for presale today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942359/bart-is-staring-down-a-fiscal-cliff\">BART\u003c/a> communications officer Anna Duckworth, this year’s sweater is the most elaborate to date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It features a light-up, moving BART map and a working train horn — perfect for transit enthusiasts hoping to make a bold fashion statement and loud noise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 2023 design is based on feedback BART received on past designs, when the sweaters were decorated with more traditional holiday images such as snowflakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to Duckworth, reception of previous sweater releases has been overwhelmingly positive — they all sold out. One year, a particular design sold out in under an hour.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/SFBART/status/1465495540544655360\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2021, BART ordered only 150 sweaters and sold out within 40 minutes, according to a past Twitter post. In 2022, Bay Area public transit enthusiasts quickly bought 800 fuzzy sweaters. This year, 1,500 are up for grabs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11954314 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sweaters are priced at $60 and are available in adult sizes S–4XL. It’s the third year in a row the transit agency has released a holiday sweater, and just like the last two years, they’re expected to sell out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike previous years, though, you’ll be able to match with your canine friends: For the first time ever, BART is releasing matching holiday dog sweaters for $25 and holiday beanies for $15. All the products can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.railgoods.com/bart/2023-holiday/\">preordered online\u003c/a> starting today or at the Lake Merritt BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "One of the Bay Area's hottest clothing drops of the season is predicted to sell out once again — and there are only 1,500 available.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721155343,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 11,
"wordCount": 289
},
"headData": {
"title": "This Bay Area ‘Ugly’ Sweater Once Sold Out in 40 Minutes | KQED",
"description": "One of the Bay Area’s hottest clothing drops of the season is predicted to sell out once again — and there are only 1,500 available.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "This Bay Area ‘Ugly’ Sweater Once Sold Out in 40 Minutes %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"socialDescription": "One of the Bay Area’s hottest clothing drops of the season is predicted to sell out once again — and there are only 1,500 available.",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "BART's Most Elaborate 'Ugly' Sweater Is Available for Presale Now",
"datePublished": "2023-07-12T10:25:52-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-16T11:42:23-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11955433/bart-ugly-holiday-sweater-available-presale-now",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The race is on to secure one of the Bay Area’s hottest drops of the season: \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bart\">BART\u003c/a>’s famous ugly sweater is available for presale today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11942359/bart-is-staring-down-a-fiscal-cliff\">BART\u003c/a> communications officer Anna Duckworth, this year’s sweater is the most elaborate to date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It features a light-up, moving BART map and a working train horn — perfect for transit enthusiasts hoping to make a bold fashion statement and loud noise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 2023 design is based on feedback BART received on past designs, when the sweaters were decorated with more traditional holiday images such as snowflakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to Duckworth, reception of previous sweater releases has been overwhelmingly positive — they all sold out. One year, a particular design sold out in under an hour.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1465495540544655360"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>In 2021, BART ordered only 150 sweaters and sold out within 40 minutes, according to a past Twitter post. In 2022, Bay Area public transit enthusiasts quickly bought 800 fuzzy sweaters. This year, 1,500 are up for grabs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11954314",
"hero": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1246054727-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sweaters are priced at $60 and are available in adult sizes S–4XL. It’s the third year in a row the transit agency has released a holiday sweater, and just like the last two years, they’re expected to sell out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unlike previous years, though, you’ll be able to match with your canine friends: For the first time ever, BART is releasing matching holiday dog sweaters for $25 and holiday beanies for $15. All the products can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.railgoods.com/bart/2023-holiday/\">preordered online\u003c/a> starting today or at the Lake Merritt BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11955433/bart-ugly-holiday-sweater-available-presale-now",
"authors": [
"11530"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_1397"
],
"tags": [
"news_269",
"news_18538",
"news_20138",
"news_1604",
"news_1533",
"news_38"
],
"featImg": "news_11955435",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11954314": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11954314",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954314",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687979755000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "3-big-takeaways-from-californias-311-billion-budget-deal",
"title": "3 Big Takeaways from California's $311 Billion Budget Deal",
"publishDate": 1687979755,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "3 Big Takeaways from California’s $311 Billion Budget Deal | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats who control the California Legislature agreed late Monday on how to spend $310.8 billion over the next year, endorsing a plan that covers a nearly $32 billion budget deficit without raiding the state’s savings account.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state has had combined \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11874125/californias-historic-budget-surplus-is-it-76-billion-or-38-billion\">budget surpluses\u003c/a> of well over $100 billion in the past few years, using that money to greatly expand government programs. But this year, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-gavin-newsom-business-1035e53f9f5c0ebad2565a34192e2e13\">revenues slowed\u003c/a> as inflation soared and the stock market struggled. California gets most of its revenue from taxes paid by the wealthy, making it more vulnerable to changes in the economy than other states. Last month, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11949333/gov-newsom-says-california-budget-deficit-has-grown-to-nearly-32-billion\">the Newsom administration estimated the state’s spending would exceed revenues by over $30 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Chris Hoene, California Budget and Policy Center\"]‘They took one-time investments that they had made commitments to in earlier budget years … and they basically took some of that money back.’[/pullquote]The final budget, which lawmakers are scheduled to vote on later this week, covers that deficit by cutting some spending — about $8 billion — while delaying other spending and shifting certain expenses to other funds. The plan would borrow $6.1 billion and set aside $37.8 billion in reserves, the most ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, health care, climate and public safety,” Newsom said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, Republicans criticized the budget plan as unsustainable, noting it would leave the state with projected multibillion-dollar deficits over the next few years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some big takeaways from the deal:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Closing the deficit\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Chris Hoene, executive director of \u003ca href=\"https://calbudgetcenter.org/\">the California Budget and Policy Center\u003c/a>, said lawmakers were able to balance the budget without tapping reserves or increasing taxes, by canceling some future spending plans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They took one-time investments that they had made commitments to in earlier budget years, big pots of funding that they had set aside for climate change investments and infrastructure investments — and they basically took some of that money back,” Hoene said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The trims include over $5 billion targeted toward infrastructure to reduce climate change, such as electric vehicle chargers. However, Hoene said, there’s still $40 billion in earlier years’ surplus committed to investments in climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Given that the state is confronting a deficit of $30-plus billion, state leaders did an adequate job of protecting the investments that they’ve made over the past decade,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the budget does not raise income taxes to cover the deficit, it does impose a new tax on managed-care organizations — private companies that contract with the state to administer Medicaid benefits. The tax would generate an estimated $32 billion over the next four years, some of which would go toward increasing how much money doctors get for treating Medicaid patients. It would also offer $150 million in loans to hospitals that are at risk of failing.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>No fast track for Delta tunnel\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>More contentious than any single spending issue was Newsom’s proposal to reform state environmental laws in order to expedite the construction of major infrastructure projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The governor argued that new clean energy developments and upgrades to water infrastructure were being derailed by the California Environmental Quality Act, and would lead to the state missing out on future federal funding. His plan would have required all CEQA court challenges to be resolved within 270 days, among other changes.[aside postID=science_1983092]Lawmakers, however, were wary of grappling with such major reforms against the rapidly-approaching budget deadline. And those representing the Sacramento Delta region feared the plan would fast-track approval of a giant tunnel to move Delta water to Southern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB149\">The final agreement\u003c/a> threads the needle with a single line, which specifies that a project qualifying for streamlined approval “does not include the design or construction of through-Delta conveyance facilities of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Sen. Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat whose district includes Delta communities in Solano and Yolo counties, said although he largely agreed with the governor’s reforms, “I really worked hard to make sure [the tunnel plan] wasn’t included in the package.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a highly problematic proposal that has incredible environmental implications and impact on the Delta communities that I serve,” Dodd said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Survival funds for transit agencies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The budget agreement incorporates \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950403/some-bay-area-public-transit-lines-could-be-cut-this-summer-as-california-budget-deficit-looms\">a long-debated emergency relief package for transit agencies across the state\u003c/a>, including BART and Muni, that the Legislature passed earlier this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The funding is designed to help those agencies maintain current operating levels as they develop strategies to deal with a deepening pandemic-related financial crisis — a situation that’s come to be known as the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11952821/1-1-billion-state-bailout-proposed-for-transit-agencies-facing-fiscal-cliff\">transit fiscal cliff\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deal includes $1.1 billion, from the state’s cap-and-trade program, that transit agencies can use over the next four years for day-to-day operating expenses like salaries, maintenance and supplies.[aside postID=news_11952821,news_11950403,forum_2010101891806 label='Transit Funding']The pact also scraps Newsom’s proposed $2 billion cut to the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. Those funds are typically used for long-term system improvements and infrastructure projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TIRCP deal restores $400 million to Bay Area projects, including the VTA-BART extension through downtown San José. The agreement allows transit operators to use their TIRCP funds for operating expenses under certain circumstances. But spending those capital dollars to keep systems running would carry a high cost in the loss of matching federal funds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We pulled a rabbit out of the hat by getting the transit money back,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), chair of the Budget Committee. “We should hopefully help the transit operators from not falling over the ‘fiscal cliff.’ So that was a major win.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) led the campaign to secure those transit survival funds, which he called “a critical lifeline that will help transit agencies maintain service while making critical improvements to cleanliness and safety.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those improvements are spelled out in \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB125\">an accompanying trailer bill\u003c/a> listing “accountability” requirements for the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission and for transit operators who want a share of the state funding. The transit agencies must also detail plans to improve public safety and system cleanliness and simplify fare structures and payment systems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay Area bus, rail and ferry operators still face a five-year deficit of $2.5 billion, according to MTC estimates, so the budget agreement is far from the last word the region will hear on transit funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Monday, Wiener introduced \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, a bill that would tack on $1.50 to tolls on the region’s seven state-owned bridges and earmark the proceeds for transit operations. Under the proposal, which requires a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to pass, the toll increase would take effect next Jan. 1, and continue through the end of 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener said that the toll hike, along with the emergency state cash and other funding the MTC has identified, would still leave the region about $900 million short of closing its five-year transit deficit. That means a broad range of public transportation advocates will likely join in a push for a 2026 ballot measure aimed at providing stable long-term funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>For a more detailed breakdown of the budget proposals — including how it will affect childcare subsidies, education spending, and programs for homebuyers: \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/06/california-budget-deal-what-you-need-to-know/\">What You Need to Know in the California Budget Deal\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from Adam Beam of The Associated Press.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The agreement closes California's formidable budget deficit, sidelines a controversial new Delta tunnel proposal, and delivers desperately needed funds to the state's embattled transit agencies. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721119179,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 30,
"wordCount": 1331
},
"headData": {
"title": "3 Big Takeaways from California's $311 Billion Budget Deal | KQED",
"description": "The agreement closes California's formidable budget deficit, sidelines a controversial new Delta tunnel proposal, and delivers desperately needed funds to the state's embattled transit agencies. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "3 Big Takeaways from California's $311 Billion Budget Deal",
"datePublished": "2023-06-28T12:15:55-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-16T01:39:39-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11954314/3-big-takeaways-from-californias-311-billion-budget-deal",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats who control the California Legislature agreed late Monday on how to spend $310.8 billion over the next year, endorsing a plan that covers a nearly $32 billion budget deficit without raiding the state’s savings account.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state has had combined \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11874125/californias-historic-budget-surplus-is-it-76-billion-or-38-billion\">budget surpluses\u003c/a> of well over $100 billion in the past few years, using that money to greatly expand government programs. But this year, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-gavin-newsom-business-1035e53f9f5c0ebad2565a34192e2e13\">revenues slowed\u003c/a> as inflation soared and the stock market struggled. California gets most of its revenue from taxes paid by the wealthy, making it more vulnerable to changes in the economy than other states. Last month, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11949333/gov-newsom-says-california-budget-deficit-has-grown-to-nearly-32-billion\">the Newsom administration estimated the state’s spending would exceed revenues by over $30 billion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘They took one-time investments that they had made commitments to in earlier budget years … and they basically took some of that money back.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Chris Hoene, California Budget and Policy Center",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The final budget, which lawmakers are scheduled to vote on later this week, covers that deficit by cutting some spending — about $8 billion — while delaying other spending and shifting certain expenses to other funds. The plan would borrow $6.1 billion and set aside $37.8 billion in reserves, the most ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, health care, climate and public safety,” Newsom said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, Republicans criticized the budget plan as unsustainable, noting it would leave the state with projected multibillion-dollar deficits over the next few years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are some big takeaways from the deal:\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Closing the deficit\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Chris Hoene, executive director of \u003ca href=\"https://calbudgetcenter.org/\">the California Budget and Policy Center\u003c/a>, said lawmakers were able to balance the budget without tapping reserves or increasing taxes, by canceling some future spending plans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They took one-time investments that they had made commitments to in earlier budget years, big pots of funding that they had set aside for climate change investments and infrastructure investments — and they basically took some of that money back,” Hoene said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The trims include over $5 billion targeted toward infrastructure to reduce climate change, such as electric vehicle chargers. However, Hoene said, there’s still $40 billion in earlier years’ surplus committed to investments in climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Given that the state is confronting a deficit of $30-plus billion, state leaders did an adequate job of protecting the investments that they’ve made over the past decade,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the budget does not raise income taxes to cover the deficit, it does impose a new tax on managed-care organizations — private companies that contract with the state to administer Medicaid benefits. The tax would generate an estimated $32 billion over the next four years, some of which would go toward increasing how much money doctors get for treating Medicaid patients. It would also offer $150 million in loans to hospitals that are at risk of failing.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>No fast track for Delta tunnel\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>More contentious than any single spending issue was Newsom’s proposal to reform state environmental laws in order to expedite the construction of major infrastructure projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The governor argued that new clean energy developments and upgrades to water infrastructure were being derailed by the California Environmental Quality Act, and would lead to the state missing out on future federal funding. His plan would have required all CEQA court challenges to be resolved within 270 days, among other changes.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "science_1983092",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Lawmakers, however, were wary of grappling with such major reforms against the rapidly-approaching budget deadline. And those representing the Sacramento Delta region feared the plan would fast-track approval of a giant tunnel to move Delta water to Southern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB149\">The final agreement\u003c/a> threads the needle with a single line, which specifies that a project qualifying for streamlined approval “does not include the design or construction of through-Delta conveyance facilities of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Sen. Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat whose district includes Delta communities in Solano and Yolo counties, said although he largely agreed with the governor’s reforms, “I really worked hard to make sure [the tunnel plan] wasn’t included in the package.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a highly problematic proposal that has incredible environmental implications and impact on the Delta communities that I serve,” Dodd said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Survival funds for transit agencies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The budget agreement incorporates \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11950403/some-bay-area-public-transit-lines-could-be-cut-this-summer-as-california-budget-deficit-looms\">a long-debated emergency relief package for transit agencies across the state\u003c/a>, including BART and Muni, that the Legislature passed earlier this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The funding is designed to help those agencies maintain current operating levels as they develop strategies to deal with a deepening pandemic-related financial crisis — a situation that’s come to be known as the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11952821/1-1-billion-state-bailout-proposed-for-transit-agencies-facing-fiscal-cliff\">transit fiscal cliff\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The deal includes $1.1 billion, from the state’s cap-and-trade program, that transit agencies can use over the next four years for day-to-day operating expenses like salaries, maintenance and supplies.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11952821,news_11950403,forum_2010101891806",
"label": "Transit Funding "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The pact also scraps Newsom’s proposed $2 billion cut to the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. Those funds are typically used for long-term system improvements and infrastructure projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The TIRCP deal restores $400 million to Bay Area projects, including the VTA-BART extension through downtown San José. The agreement allows transit operators to use their TIRCP funds for operating expenses under certain circumstances. But spending those capital dollars to keep systems running would carry a high cost in the loss of matching federal funds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We pulled a rabbit out of the hat by getting the transit money back,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), chair of the Budget Committee. “We should hopefully help the transit operators from not falling over the ‘fiscal cliff.’ So that was a major win.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) led the campaign to secure those transit survival funds, which he called “a critical lifeline that will help transit agencies maintain service while making critical improvements to cleanliness and safety.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those improvements are spelled out in \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB125\">an accompanying trailer bill\u003c/a> listing “accountability” requirements for the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission and for transit operators who want a share of the state funding. The transit agencies must also detail plans to improve public safety and system cleanliness and simplify fare structures and payment systems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay Area bus, rail and ferry operators still face a five-year deficit of $2.5 billion, according to MTC estimates, so the budget agreement is far from the last word the region will hear on transit funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Monday, Wiener introduced \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532\">SB 532\u003c/a>, a bill that would tack on $1.50 to tolls on the region’s seven state-owned bridges and earmark the proceeds for transit operations. Under the proposal, which requires a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to pass, the toll increase would take effect next Jan. 1, and continue through the end of 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wiener said that the toll hike, along with the emergency state cash and other funding the MTC has identified, would still leave the region about $900 million short of closing its five-year transit deficit. That means a broad range of public transportation advocates will likely join in a push for a 2026 ballot measure aimed at providing stable long-term funding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>For a more detailed breakdown of the budget proposals — including how it will affect childcare subsidies, education spending, and programs for homebuyers: \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/06/california-budget-deal-what-you-need-to-know/\">What You Need to Know in the California Budget Deal\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from Adam Beam of The Associated Press.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11954314/3-big-takeaways-from-californias-311-billion-budget-deal",
"authors": [
"227",
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_31711",
"news_269",
"news_6179",
"news_2704",
"news_22178",
"news_27626",
"news_16",
"news_320",
"news_2684"
],
"featImg": "news_11954323",
"label": "news"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/news?tag=bart": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 84,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 475,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"news_11985965",
"news_11980161",
"news_11971332",
"news_11968486",
"news_11961220",
"news_11959044",
"news_11959973",
"news_11958899",
"news_11958604",
"news_11956833",
"news_11955433",
"news_11954314"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news_tag_bart": {
"isLoading": true
},
"news_269": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_269",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "269",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "BART",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "BART Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 277,
"slug": "bart",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bart"
},
"source_news_11968486": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_11968486",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "The Bay",
"link": "https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/G6C7C3/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC9612865389.mp3?updated=1701208122",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_news_11961220": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_11961220",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "The Bay",
"link": "https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/thebay",
"isLoading": false
},
"news_457": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_457",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "457",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16998,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/health"
},
"news_6266": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6266",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6266",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6290,
"slug": "housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/housing"
},
"news_8": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_8",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "8",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/news"
},
"news_1397": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1397",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1397",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Transportation",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Transportation Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1409,
"slug": "transportation",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/transportation"
},
"news_17725": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17725",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17725",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "criminal justice",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "criminal justice Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 17759,
"slug": "criminal-justice",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/criminal-justice"
},
"news_27626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27643,
"slug": "featured-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-news"
},
"news_18543": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18543",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18543",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 466,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/health"
},
"news_4020": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4020",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4020",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Homelessness",
"slug": "homelessness",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Homelessness | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "index"
},
"ttid": 4039,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/homelessness"
},
"news_19903": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19903",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19903",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "law enforcement",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "law enforcement Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19920,
"slug": "law-enforcement",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/law-enforcement"
},
"news_20517": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20517",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20517",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "transportation",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "transportation Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20534,
"slug": "transportation",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/transportation"
},
"news_33745": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33745",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33745",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Criminal Justice",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Criminal Justice Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33762,
"slug": "criminal-justice",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/criminal-justice"
},
"news_33733": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33733",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33733",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33750,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/news"
},
"news_23052": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_23052",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "23052",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "fraud",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "fraud Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 23069,
"slug": "fraud",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/fraud"
},
"news_4500": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4500",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4500",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "theft",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "theft Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4519,
"slug": "theft",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/theft"
},
"news_33738": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33738",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33738",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33755,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/california"
},
"news_26944": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26944",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26944",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Orinda",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Orinda Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 26961,
"slug": "orinda",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/orinda"
},
"news_616": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_616",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "616",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California prisons",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California prisons Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 625,
"slug": "california-prisons",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-prisons"
},
"news_22598": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_22598",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "22598",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "The Bay",
"description": "\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11638190\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/02/TheBay_1200x6301.png\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\u003cbr/>\r\n\r\nEvery good story starts local. So that’s where we start. \u003ci>The Bay\u003c/i> is storytelling for daily news. KQED host Devin Katayama talks with reporters to help us make sense of what’s happening in the Bay Area. One story. One conversation. One idea.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong>Subscribe to The Bay:\u003c/strong>\r\n\r\n\u003ca href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452?mt=2\">\u003cimg src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/01/Listen_on_Apple_Podcasts_sRGB_US-e1515635079510.png\" />\u003c/a>",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "Every good story starts local. So that’s where we start. The Bay is storytelling for daily news. KQED host Devin Katayama talks with reporters to help us make sense of what’s happening in the Bay Area. One story. One conversation. One idea. Subscribe to The Bay:",
"title": "The Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22615,
"slug": "the-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/the-bay"
},
"news_28779": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28779",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28779",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "The Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "program",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "The Bay is a daily news and culture program from KQED that covers the latest headlines, trends, and stories that matter to the Bay Area.",
"title": "The Bay Area Archives | KQED",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28796,
"slug": "the-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/program/the-bay"
},
"news_33520": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33520",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33520",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Podcast",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Podcast Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33537,
"slug": "podcast",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/podcast"
},
"news_31530": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31530",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31530",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "BART fares",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "BART fares Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31547,
"slug": "bart-fares",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bart-fares"
},
"news_1528": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1528",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1528",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "BART police",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "BART police Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1540,
"slug": "bart-police",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bart-police"
},
"news_33084": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33084",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33084",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "BART schedule",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "BART schedule Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33101,
"slug": "bart-schedule",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bart-schedule"
},
"news_32707": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32707",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32707",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "audience-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "audience-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32724,
"slug": "audience-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/audience-news"
},
"news_2838": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2838",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2838",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "sexual harassment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "sexual harassment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2856,
"slug": "sexual-harassment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sexual-harassment"
},
"news_2684": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2684",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2684",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "transit",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "transit Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2701,
"slug": "transit",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/transit"
},
"news_23368": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_23368",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "23368",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "bridge tolls",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "bridge tolls Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 23385,
"slug": "bridge-tolls",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bridge-tolls"
},
"news_320": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_320",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "320",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Muni",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Muni Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 328,
"slug": "muni",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/muni"
},
"news_32029": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32029",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32029",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "state Sen. Scott Wiener",
"slug": "state-sen-scott-wiener",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "state Sen. Scott Wiener | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 32046,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/state-sen-scott-wiener"
},
"news_2704": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2704",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2704",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California Legislature",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Legislature Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2722,
"slug": "california-legislature",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-legislature"
},
"news_18538": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18538",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18538",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california"
},
"news_20138": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20138",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20138",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "holidays",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "holidays Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20155,
"slug": "holidays",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/holidays"
},
"news_1604": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1604",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1604",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Lake Merritt",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Lake Merritt Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1616,
"slug": "lake-merritt",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/lake-merritt"
},
"news_1533": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1533",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1533",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "public transportation",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "public transportation Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1545,
"slug": "public-transportation",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/public-transportation"
},
"news_38": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_38",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "38",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 58,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco"
},
"news_13": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_13",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "13",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 13,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/politics"
},
"news_31711": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31711",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31711",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "#water",
"slug": "water",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "#water | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 31728,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/water"
},
"news_6179": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6179",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6179",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "california delta",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "california delta Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6203,
"slug": "california-delta",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-delta"
},
"news_22178": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_22178",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "22178",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California State Budget",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California State Budget Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22195,
"slug": "california-state-budget",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-state-budget"
},
"news_16": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_16",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "16",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Gavin Newsom",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Gavin Newsom Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16,
"slug": "gavin-newsom",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/gavin-newsom"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
}
}
