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BART director warns of major deficit, urges new regional funding approach
Summary
BART District 7 Director Victor Flores told the Piedmont City Council that changing commute patterns have left the system short on fare revenue and that the agency is pursuing state legislation to allow counties to seek a sales tax to stabilize operations. He described investments in safety and a modern fleet while urging regional coordination to avoid service cuts.
Victor Flores, BART director for District 7, told the Piedmont City Council that BART has made safety and service investments — new rolling stock, deeper car cleaning and new fare gates — and that those improvements have helped win back riders. He said those service improvements come amid a structural revenue problem tied to reduced commuting and warned of a significant operating shortfall beginning in fiscal year 2027. "We can't cut our way out of this situation," Flores said, arguing the agency needs a new regional funding approach rather than deep service cuts.
Flores explained the agency's recent efforts under a "safe and clean" plan — more officers on trains and at stations, elevator and restroom attendants, and other customer‑facing investments — and cited declines in crime reports and customer complaints as indicators the program is working. He said BART's board adopted a support position for legislation (Connect the Bay Area Act) that would allow Bay Area counties to place a 10‑ to 15‑year sales tax measure before voters, with a default rate between 0.5 and 1 cent, and that BART is working with regional partners to refine the proposal.
Bradley Dunn, BART manager for local government relations, offered to share outreach materials and contact information for local coordination. Vice Mayor Connor McCarthy asked about transit‑month school outreach; Flores offered to check with BART communications about materials schools could use. The presentation emphasized tradeoffs between fare dependence and long‑term operating sustainability and framed the bill as an option to ask voters for stable, dedicated funding.
