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Things could get pretty ugly for public transit riders in the Bay Area. BART’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved what officials have called the “worst-case scenario” budget plan for the transit agency. The scenario involves closing up to 15 stations, reducing service and laying off about 12-hundred employees. Officials warn that scenario will have to go into effect if BART can’t secure additional funding to help close its 350-million to 400-million-dollar budget deficit.
Governor Newsom has authorized a sizable loan for transit agencies that could go into effect this fall, but BART officials say they have to wait and see if a local sales tax measure passes on the November ballot. If it doesn’t, the Newsom loan won’t help because BART officials say they wouldn’t be able to pay it back.
No word on if more safety measures would factor in any new money. According it BART’s monthly report on crime figures, there were 82 robberies in 2025, 219 car thefts. Aggravated assaults increased on BART in 2025, rising to 158 in 2025. There were also 3 rapes were reported to the BART Police Department.
