KQED's Forum The Uncertain Future of Bay Area Transit
Sep 11, 2025
Dan Brekke, a seasoned KQED transit reporter with four decades of experience, shares insights on the tumultuous state of Bay Area public transportation. The discussion highlights BART's recent systemwide outages and their impact on commuters, alongside the urgent financial struggles faced by transit agencies. Brekke explores ridership declines post-pandemic and the need for sustainable funding, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and innovative solutions to navigate the future of transit in the region.
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Wait For Evidence Before Judging Events
- Let evidence and investigation play out before drawing conclusions about violent incidents and motivations.
- Avoid jumping to assumptions based on prejudice or quick narratives during breaking news.
Pandemic Created A Fiscal Cliff For Transit
- The pandemic wrecked transit agencies' fare-based business models and emergency funding is ending.
- Transit faces a fiscal cliff requiring new long-term revenue or deep service cuts starting fiscal year 2026–27.
Fare Reliance Varies Widely By Agency
- BART relied far more on fares than many peers, with roughly 60–70% farebox recovery pre-pandemic.
- Other agencies like VTA relied heavily on subsidies with only about 10% farebox recovery, creating uneven fiscal exposure.