As the Bay Area has become more dependent on public transit and as the economy has grown, BART ridership has skyrocketed. At the same time, BART's infrastructure has continued to age. That's why BART's $3.5 billion bond measure, Measure RR, was so important to pass last year. Thanks to the 71 percent of voters who supported Measure RR, BART now has the funding to reinvest in our system and to relieve crowding during peak hours.
I first ran for the BART Board of Directors five years ago because, as a transit rider, I saw that BART needed to replace and repair the core system to keep BART reliable, and that is exactly what the BART board has been working on for the past several years. In 2013 the BART board pledged all new revenue from fare increases to cover core capital needs, and over the past four years we have more than doubled the percentage of our capital budget spent on system reinvestment, including new train cars, track repairs, and modernized stations.
Because of the passage of Measure RR, BART will be able to greatly increase the rate of investment in the core system over the next several years. BART will begin issuing bonds this summer, but the bond schedule isn't stopping BART from repairing and replacing infrastructure now. With a mixture of funds from BART's operating budget, outside funding, and Measure RR, BART has big plans for investments in 2017.
Before Measure RR passed, BART ordered 775 new train cars, and the first 10 of these cars are being tested right now on BART tracks. Once testing is complete, these new cars will go into service later this year, and the production of the rest of the new cars will begin. The new cars will provide capacity relief by increasing train car length during peak hours. The cars will have additional doors for quicker loading, be quieter due to improved wheels and micro-plug doors, have improved air conditioning, and next-stop information will be readily available via automated announcements and digital screens.
BART largely runs on the original track and power systems that were installed in the 1960s. (The system opened to riders in 1972.) In 2017 BART will replace 10 miles of track, replace eroding power cables in key areas throughout Oakland, replace two power substations, and begin plans to replace cables in San Francisco.
To increase capacity and reduce delays, Measure RR will fund the replacement of BART's train control system. The current system limits the system to 24 trains through the Transbay Tube per hour, and a new system will increase this to up to 30 trains per hour. This will increase train capacity during peak hours up to 25 percent. BART will issue a request for proposals this summer with the goal of awarding the design-build contract next year.
Escalator reliability has been a big concern for BART riders and for the BART board because escalators are important to providing access to BART stations. BART will award a contract this year to begin the work of replacing escalators in downtown San Francisco. To protect this investment, BART recently awarded a contract to construct canopies over two San Francisco street escalators. The pilot canopy at 19th Street station in Oakland has been very successful in protecting the escalator and improving reliability, so BART plans to cover all street escalators with canopies.
BART stations are in need of upgrades to increase capacity, improve passenger flow and access, and modernize the appearance and function of stations and amenities. Construction of major redesigns of three stations will begin this year, at 19th Street, El Cerrito Del Norte, and Powell Street. BART will complete designs of six more station modernization projects in 2017.
The BART board is committed to expanding opportunities for small businesses, so BART will do extensive outreach throughout the nine-county Bay Area to ensure small businesses know about upcoming Measure RR contracting opportunities. BART will break some larger contracts into smaller pieces so that small businesses are able to bid on these contracts. BART also has existing agreements to ensure local workers are hired for these projects.
Bond expenditures will be overseen by the BART board and by an oversight committee made up of transportation safety experts, auditors, and good government watchdogs. Outreach has begun to seek oversight committee board members, board members will be selected in April, and the committee will begin to meet this summer.
Reinvestment in core infrastructure will continue to be a priority for BART in the coming years, and thanks to the support of Bay Area voters, the BART board has a strong plan and much of the funding needed to keep BART reliable and to increase capacity.
Rebecca Saltzman is president of the BART Board of Directors and one of two out people on the oversight body.