04.17.20
BART seeks emergency funds in response to COVID-19
4/17/20 Update:
The MTC will consider initial distribution to Bay Area transit operators of CARES Act funding next Wednesday, April 22. The complete agenda and packet materials for the Commission meeting are now posted on the MTC website at www.mtc.ca.gov. The proposed initial allocation for BART is $251.6 million.
On Thursday, April 16, the Legislature began its formal process of considering how to budget for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a hearing of the Senate’s Special Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on COVID-19 Response. BART General Manager Bob Powers submitted this letter to the subcommittee outling COVID-19 impacts to BART.
3/26/20 Update:
BART budget staff is waiting to find out how much money BART will receive from the federal stimulus package to help support our operating budget and running service. There will be approximately $1.3B provided to the MTC to divide up among Bay Area transit operators.
3/25/20 Update:
Statement from BART General Manager Bob Powers on $25 billion in transit funding included in Senate bill:
"BART has confirmed the coronavirus stimulus package to be voted on includes $25 billion in critical lifeline funds for transit systems across the country. The package needs to be approved by Congress and signed by the President.
For BART, these emergency funds can be the difference between needing to shut down when our reserves run out and maintaining service to keep the San Francisco Bay Area moving. 60% of our operating budget is funded by fare revenue and we’ve sustained a 90% drop in ridership during this crisis. I want to thank everyone who has advocated for transit and BART specifically during these unprecedented times. There is more work to do and this is only one step towards keeping the trains running, but it is a significant down payment for the essential workers in the region and commuters when they return."
3/23/20 Update: Today BART General Manager Bob Powers joined other transit leaders across the nation in sending a letter to Senate and House leadership requesting that any federal relief package include at least $25 billion of dedicated support for public transportation agencies.
Read BART's latest Fact Sheet outlining the financial impact of COVID-19.
BART’s Board President Lateefah Simon and General Manager Bob Powers sent letters on March 12 to local, state and federal officials and have been making calls this week asking for emergency stimulus funding.
This article was originally posted on March 17 as: BART sustains service but future financial stability requires emergency funds
BART is experiencing significant declines in ridership with immediate loss of fare and parking revenues as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and current Shelter in Place Orders throughout the BART service area.
BART’s Board President Lateefah Simon and General Manager Bob Powers sent letters last week to local, state and federal officials and have been making calls this week asking for emergency stimulus funding. Ridership data shows BART lost 70% of its riders on Monday and initial data for Tuesday’s commute shows an 85% decline.
That level of decline will cost BART a loss of approximately $37M per month in fare and parking revenue. A sustained ridership loss of 85% and a 50% reduction of economic activity impacting other revenue sources could reduce BART's monthly revenues by $55M.
(Friday March 20 Update: A sustained ridership loss of 90% and a 50% reduction of economic activity impacting other revenue sources could reduce BART's monthly revenues by $57M.)
BART staff has provided a Fact Sheet outlining the COVID-19 impacts. (This fact sheet was updated to include the current ridership loss figures).
“This is a financial crisis for BART,” said Board President Lateefah Simon. “This level of catastrophic revenue loss is not sustainable and threatens future service. We need reassurance from all levels of government that transit will not be left out.”
Federal funds
At the federal level, BART is requesting that transit be specifically included in future stimulus bills.
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act provides a total of $8.3 billion to support response efforts to the virus with $950 million set aside for state and local efforts; including infection control at the local level to prevent additional cases. Approximately $37M will be sent to California. To date, neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the State of California has issued guidance on whether a local special district, such as BART, could directly apply for funding.
BART will be applying for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under their program to support operational expenses in response to COVID-19.
State funds
The Governor signed emergency legislation today with $500M for COVID-19 response funding. As a special district, BART should be directly eligible for this emergency funding under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act and plans to pursue funds through the Office of the Governor, California Office of Emergency Services, and the California State Transportation Agency. BART is asking how the $500M appropriation will be allocated and is requesting a direct allocation of $55M to offset our loss in revenue due.
Local Funds:
BART is requesting an immediate operating subsidy from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
“BART is currently providing lifeline train service to workers who are keeping the region functioning during this pandemic,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “As the backbone of transportation in the Bay Area, we will also play an essential role during the economic recovery process. Access to emergency funding is needed to keep the Bay Area moving once the region begins to recover.”
https://www.bart.gov/news/alerts
BART seeks emergency funds in response to COVID-19
4/17/20 Update:
The MTC will consider initial distribution to Bay Area transit operators of CARES Act funding next Wednesday, April 22. The complete agenda and packet materials for the Commission meeting are now posted on the MTC website at www.mtc.ca.gov. The proposed initial allocation for BART is $251.6 million.
On Thursday, April 16, the Legislature began its formal process of considering how to budget for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a hearing of the Senate’s Special Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on COVID-19 Response. BART General Manager Bob Powers submitted this letter to the subcommittee outling COVID-19 impacts to BART.
3/26/20 Update:
BART budget staff is waiting to find out how much money BART will receive from the federal stimulus package to help support our operating budget and running service. There will be approximately $1.3B provided to the MTC to divide up among Bay Area transit operators.
3/25/20 Update:
Statement from BART General Manager Bob Powers on $25 billion in transit funding included in Senate bill:
"BART has confirmed the coronavirus stimulus package to be voted on includes $25 billion in critical lifeline funds for transit systems across the country. The package needs to be approved by Congress and signed by the President.
For BART, these emergency funds can be the difference between needing to shut down when our reserves run out and maintaining service to keep the San Francisco Bay Area moving. 60% of our operating budget is funded by fare revenue and we’ve sustained a 90% drop in ridership during this crisis. I want to thank everyone who has advocated for transit and BART specifically during these unprecedented times. There is more work to do and this is only one step towards keeping the trains running, but it is a significant down payment for the essential workers in the region and commuters when they return."
3/23/20 Update: Today BART General Manager Bob Powers joined other transit leaders across the nation in sending a letter to Senate and House leadership requesting that any federal relief package include at least $25 billion of dedicated support for public transportation agencies.
Read BART's latest Fact Sheet outlining the financial impact of COVID-19.
BART’s Board President Lateefah Simon and General Manager Bob Powers sent letters on March 12 to local, state and federal officials and have been making calls this week asking for emergency stimulus funding.
This article was originally posted on March 17 as: BART sustains service but future financial stability requires emergency funds
BART is experiencing significant declines in ridership with immediate loss of fare and parking revenues as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and current Shelter in Place Orders throughout the BART service area.
BART’s Board President Lateefah Simon and General Manager Bob Powers sent letters last week to local, state and federal officials and have been making calls this week asking for emergency stimulus funding. Ridership data shows BART lost 70% of its riders on Monday and initial data for Tuesday’s commute shows an 85% decline.
That level of decline will cost BART a loss of approximately $37M per month in fare and parking revenue. A sustained ridership loss of 85% and a 50% reduction of economic activity impacting other revenue sources could reduce BART's monthly revenues by $55M.
(Friday March 20 Update: A sustained ridership loss of 90% and a 50% reduction of economic activity impacting other revenue sources could reduce BART's monthly revenues by $57M.)
BART staff has provided a Fact Sheet outlining the COVID-19 impacts. (This fact sheet was updated to include the current ridership loss figures).
“This is a financial crisis for BART,” said Board President Lateefah Simon. “This level of catastrophic revenue loss is not sustainable and threatens future service. We need reassurance from all levels of government that transit will not be left out.”
Federal funds
At the federal level, BART is requesting that transit be specifically included in future stimulus bills.
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act provides a total of $8.3 billion to support response efforts to the virus with $950 million set aside for state and local efforts; including infection control at the local level to prevent additional cases. Approximately $37M will be sent to California. To date, neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the State of California has issued guidance on whether a local special district, such as BART, could directly apply for funding.
BART will be applying for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under their program to support operational expenses in response to COVID-19.
State funds
The Governor signed emergency legislation today with $500M for COVID-19 response funding. As a special district, BART should be directly eligible for this emergency funding under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act and plans to pursue funds through the Office of the Governor, California Office of Emergency Services, and the California State Transportation Agency. BART is asking how the $500M appropriation will be allocated and is requesting a direct allocation of $55M to offset our loss in revenue due.
Local Funds:
BART is requesting an immediate operating subsidy from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
“BART is currently providing lifeline train service to workers who are keeping the region functioning during this pandemic,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “As the backbone of transportation in the Bay Area, we will also play an essential role during the economic recovery process. Access to emergency funding is needed to keep the Bay Area moving once the region begins to recover.”
https://www.bart.gov/news/alerts
