Service Improvements

Imagine a More Connected Future

Instead of waiting in traffic for hours, wouldn't a low stress, quick, and convenient option by train be a better solution for travel? Imagine a future with a faster, more connected train network that provides people with safe, efficient, equitable, and affordable travel whether going to work, school, to visit family, or for fun. Picture the possibilities with access to an improved train network in Northern California. There are many different factors that make up train service and ultimately, it’s the service provided that creates the passenger experience. 

Service improvements for Link21 include:

• Reliability: timely departure and arrival
• Faster travel times: quicker arrival to your destination
• Frequency: more trip options and shorter wait times
• Convenience:  more direct trips and easier transfers
• More capacity and resiliency: service redundancy to reduce crowding and maintain travel options during service disruptions
• Equity: increased train service access for communities that have been marginalized, the transit dependent, and access to important destinations
• Longer hours: extended service on nights and weekends (Requires policy decision/action by BART)
• Clean and green travel: Shifting travel away from congested freeways and increasing ridership on future zero emission trains 
• Markets and connections: better service to existing or new stations and easier connections between train services

A foundational goal of Link21 is to transform the passenger experience and one important way to do this is to improve service. We have been communicating with people across Northern California to better understand your travel needs and, in response to what we have heard, we have identified Link21 concepts that are designed to add service frequency, potential connections, and better transfers between BART and Regional Rail. Service is one of the four building blocks of Link21. Markets, service, train technology, and the infrastructure to support service and connections to markets are what make up the concept solutions being considered. To learn more about Link21 concepts and how they benefit communities and passengers, visit our concepts page. 

Service Improvements with a New Crossing

Link21 is approaching an important milestone that will identify what train technology will go in the crossing: will the new crossing have BART Broad-gauge tracks or Regional Rail Standard-gauge tracks? This crossing decision will also help determine what service improvements are possible with Link21. A new crossing between San Francisco and Oakland provides service redundancy and reliability by allowing trains to continue operating should one crossing temporarily be taken out of service. A new crossing makes the existing train network function better in Northern California while also offering new or improved service to riders. Service enhancements include reduced travel time and increased frequency, with faster transfer opportunities for riders in the Megaregion.
 

Improving Train Service for the Future

All concepts being considered for Link21 improve upon existing service today and each offer valuable benefits that create enhanced access, connection, and reliability. Link21 is focused on providing more Urban | Metro service within the core Bay Area and improved Intercity | Express service for longer distance travelers. Learn more about these two important types of service to meet your travel needs: