Harold Willson, the disability rights activist and transit advocate. Photo courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Heritage Resources.
There is a special personal pride in being the first handicapped person in a wheelchair to use a subway train, and to represent all handicapped travelers who will use the BART system in years to come. I’ll never forget that sense of freedom I experienced as I boarded the BART train.”
– Harold Willson, quoted in “Accent on Living,” Spring 1973
When Harold Willson was 21 years old, his life forever changed.
Bart Wright with a BART System Map hung in a station in 2019.
A map can tell a person where to go, where not to go, and how to get there. It orients the viewer in physical space – but also geographic time, chronicling the shifting landscape and the patterns of human motion.
Stylists from Down at LuLu's in Oakland. Photo courtesy of Down at LuLu's.
Whether you’re in the throes of summer fun, seeking seasonal change, or simply scheduling upkeep any time of year, BARTable salons will keep your split ends at bay. And when you primp and pamper yourself at one of these choice hair spots, you’ll find out why so many locals have found a stylist they’ve remained loyal to through the years.
If you’re a goat, there’s one thing you really like to do: eat. And for the past few years, BART has put goats’ proclivity for munching to work to reduce fire danger on its grassy properties.
Currently, the goats can be seen grazing away on hillsides in Walnut Creek and Hayward. You might spot them from the highway or even a BART train if you keep your eyes glued to the sandy-colored hills or perk your ears to their signature “bah” sounds.
Image courtesy of Michelle Robertson.
BART’s 19th St/ Oakland station and the surrounding neighborhood is a bustling hub of commerce, activity, and transit centered in the heart of Oakland.
The 52nd annual San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration will be held this Sunday, June 26th and BART will increase service to carry attendees to and from the festivities.
BART will open at 8am and will run five-line service until 8pm with special event trains as ridership warrants. After 8pm, BART runs 3-line service. BART anticipates full service on all lines.
The parade will begin at 10:30am at Market and Beale Streets, closest to the Embarcadero Station.
It will end at Market and 8th Streets, closest to the Civic Center Station.
During PRIDE Month each June, we celebrate the history and triumphs of LGBTIA+ people around the world and their manifold contributions to society.
BART has a long history of supporting its LGBTIA+ employees and the community at large. In addition to proudly walking in the San Francisco Pride Parade each year, BART has been a trailblazer in transit, working to secure the rights of LGBTIA+ individuals internally and externally.
Bikes are playing a big role in our ridership recovery. We are seeing more of our riders bringing their bikes on board for car-free work commutes and fun trips exploring the Bay Area. Trains are less crowded than before the pandemic, and BART is working on new ways to make it easier than ever to bring your bike on BART.
A BART train being unveiled to an excited crowd.
In celebration of BART’s 50th Anniversary this year, we’re looking back at the transit system’s five decades of service and innovation in a new series of stories.
BART’s Opening Day by the Numbers
Fifteen years of planning. Eight years of construction. More than $1 billion. On September 11, 1972, BART finally opened for service.
To watch a video of Taylor Thompson singing, click this link.
Taylor Thompson has the sort of voice that makes you stop in your tracks. Smooth and strong, his tenor range hits each note with precision and accuracy.
Thompson is a store clerk in BART’s Customer Services Center at Lake Merritt Station. He is also an established opera singer, having performed in productions across the Bay Area.