BART
The BART Board on Feb. 26 adopted an alternative service plan outlining specific budget balancing details to solve a $376 million deficit for the next fiscal year if no new funds become available, according to the transit agency (see documents above and presentation below). BART said it is facing a structural deficit of $350 million to $400 million because ridership is still down 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels and BART’s current funding model relies heavily on passenger fares.
The plan includes specific cuts and financial strategies needed to balance both the FY27 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) and FY28 (July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028) budgets. It includes service cuts, station closures, fare increases, a 40% reduction in system support services, laying off 1,200 employees, and a series of deferrals and one-time resources, according to BART. The agency said the plan does not name specific stations to be closed and makes clear the BART Board will be responsible for all decisions on station closures.
“BART has already made budget cuts across all departments and instituted a series of cost controls, including rightsizing service, labor savings, operational efficiencies, and reducing BART’s office space footprint,” the transit agency noted. “At the same time, BART has also worked to increase revenue by installing new fare gates, leasing out BART parking lots, and offering new fare products such as Clipper BayPass.”
Alternative Service Plan Details
To take place in January 2027:
- “Three-line service (Yellow, Blue, and Orange line service only, with limited peak service in only the peak commute direction on the Red and Green lines).
- “30-minute frequencies on every line.
- “Closing at 9 p.m. seven days per week.
- “This service plan represents a 63% reduction in train hours.
- “30% fare and parking fee increases (the estimated average fare would increase from $4.98 to $6.38).
- “Target approximately $30 million in savings over six months from non-service budget reductions to fleet and non-fleet maintenance, police, cleaning, and administrative support functions.
- “Continue deferrals of priority capital allocations and retiree medical contributions.
- “Balance remainder of FY27 with one-time resources and financial deferrals.”
“Following the January 2027 cuts, staff will continuously assess ridership and revenue impacts and the performance of all District functions to determine if further reductions can be safely and legally implemented,” BART reported.
To take place in July 2027 “if feasibly safe”:
- “Target more than $175 million in annual cost reductions through a cumulative 70% reduction in service hours.
- “Maintain three-line service, 30-minute frequencies on each line, closing at 9 p.m.
- “Close up to 15 stations and/or up to 25% of system track miles.
- “The BART Board will be responsible for all decisions on station or line segment closures.
- “Increase fares and parking fees up to a cumulative 50%. The estimated average fare would increase to $7.26.
- “Target annual operating expense savings of more than a cumulative $130 million from non-service budget reductions to fleet and non-fleet maintenance, police, cleaning, and administrative support functions.
- “Continue to defer retiree health contributions; defer most remaining capital allocations.”
Contingency:
- “If at any point it is determined BART can’t safely or legally operate with available resources, stop passenger service.
- “Use existing District tax revenues to secure system assets.
- “Work to determine system’s future.”
Use of the State Loan
“BART can’t use state loan money to avoid station closures and service cuts if no new revenue becomes available because without new revenue, there is no way to pay the loan back,” the transit agency reported. “The [recently reported] state loan primarily helps with cash flow if a November 2026 transit funding measure is successful. It is a bridge loan that gives BART reassurances money will be available to continue to deliver the best service possible until the sales tax dollars from the successful ballot measure become available for BART’s use. This is projected to happen in July 2027 but could take longer. If a funding measure succeeds, BART will use $97M in loan funds to help balance the FY27 budget.”
Separately, California’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission and partner San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies, including BART, have approved standardized sign designs.
MBTA
MBTA on Feb. 26 reported developing an updated regional rail strategy. The Rail Modernization Plan will identify near-term investments and long-term needs, and consider how the transit authority can “enhance frequency, reliability, and accessibility across the communities served by rail while advancing decarbonization strategies,” according to the transit authority.
“Almost three quarters of Massachusetts residents live within the MBTA service area, and more frequent and reliable Regional Rail service will have major benefits for the residents and businesses of Massachusetts, as well as those of surrounding states,” the transit authority reported. “In fact, 64% of Commonwealth residents and 39% of Rhode Island residents live with three miles of an MBTA station. Not only can reliable train service address travel time challenges today, a more robust network enhances the Commonwealth’s goals for commercially viable developments near transit stations spurring future housing production.”
MBTA said it will need to make investments in the coming years to:
- “Improve Frequency, such as through the elimination of legacy bottlenecks in our single-track, at-grade system.
- “Increase Reliability, by investing in new locomotives for our riders while also modernizing our layover and maintenance facilities for current and future fleets.
- “Enhance Accessibility, by introducing level-boarding at inaccessible stations throughout the system.
- “Pursue Decarbonization, by developing an electrification plan and through the strategic installation of discontinuous overhead catenary wire, charging, and transmission infrastructure.”
“Transportation has no boundaries, and as MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager, I know how important it is that we create a robust and complete transportation network across the Commonwealth that facilitates access to jobs, homes, economic opportunities, and more,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Working with the highway system, municipal roadways, and regional transit authorities, rail modernization—bidirectional travel, shorter trips, and tackling congestion through mode shift—is a key piece in making all movement both viable and appealing. None of this would be possible without the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and support of the Legislature, and I thank the entire MBTA team for their dedicated work in continuing to move this forward and make the Rail Modernization Plan a reality.”
MBTA will launch a series of public meetings, tabling events, targeted conversations with stakeholders, and virtual engagement strategies. More information can be found at MBTA.com/RailModernization.
Separately, MBTA, in coordination with the Maryland Transit Administration under a consortium framework, on Feb. 25 issued a Request for Proposals for new battery electric and low-emissions locomotives. The transit authority is also advancing a major signal modernization on the Red Line at Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass station while crews complete testing and cutover to the new, digital signaling system in this area.
MARC
BLET members on Feb. 26 voted unanimously to ratify a new four-year contract with Alstom, the union reported in the latest edition of its weekly newsletter. Ballots were due Feb. 20. The contract covers locomotive engineers who operate MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area.
“The agreement covers the period from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027, and addresses work rule improvements along with health and welfare benefits,” BLET reported. The contract also provides general wage increases of 3.25% in 2024, 3.0% in 2025, 4.0% in 2026, and 3.0% in 2027, the union noted.
Members governed by this agreement belong to BLET Division 97 in Baltimore and the CSXT-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment. The negotiating team consisted of CSXT-NL General Chairman Brian Farkas and National Vice Presidents Randy Fannon and Jeff Thurman.
MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration and operated under contract by Alstom and Amtrak. The tracks are owned by CSX and Amtrak. MARC reports about 19,300 passenger boardings per weekday.
Metra
Metra will conduct Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 41 train stations across the six-county region in 2026, it reported Feb. 26. (See list above.)
During a safety blitz, Metra employees will visit one of the railroad’s 243 stations during the morning rush hour, distributing educational materials about train and grade crossing safety, answering questions, and listening to riders’ safety concerns, according to the commuter railroad. A short video about grade crossing safety will also be available for riders to view while they wait for their trains. Local police, fire and other public officials are invited to participate.
“Illinois has the nation’s second-largest rail system with more than 7,300 miles of railroad track and 10,264 public rail crossings,” Metra reported. “In 2025, Illinois ranked fifth in the nation in train vs. vehicle collisions at highway rail crossings and third in the nation in trespassing fatalities. Preliminary statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration show that in 2025, 25 people died and 43 people were injured in grade crossing incidents in Illinois and another 44 people were killed and 24 people were injured trespassing along railroad right-of-way.”
The safety blitz program’s primary purpose is educational, and while station blitzes primarily target commuters, Metra said it is also planning this year to implement a new safety blitz program targeting schools located near Metra tracks. These events will feature tables set up outside of schools staffed by volunteers distributing safety materials and directly interacting with students. Metra Police will also conduct additional enforcement blitzes at locations throughout the region, where citations and warnings will be issued to pedestrians and drivers who ignore gates and warning devices.
Metra also promotes safety through its annual Safety Competition for the region’s students and conducts hundreds of free Operation Lifesaver presentations annually to schools, community groups, school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, emergency responders, and other organizations throughout the region, according to the railroad.
“Safety is always Metra’s highest priority,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. “Safety blitzes allow us to reach our customers directly to ensure that they understand the need to stay vigilant about safety anytime they’re around the railroad. This year we’re focusing on stations that we’ve deemed ‘high risk’ due to the number of reports of near misses and incidents at these locations.”
The safety blitz schedule subject to change. For more information, please visit the safety page of the Metra website.
