By Reagan Steele – Business & Economic Policy Writer

Joined by Bay Area political leaders, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference to announce a $590 million loan to the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, known as BART.

The Governor’s office acknowledged in its press release that the system’s budget shortfalls still have no solution at the present time, raising the question of how taxpayers can expect the loan to be repaid.

In 2019, BART reported 118 million trips. Ridership numbers plummeted in 2020 as the pandemic caused millions of workers to shift to remote work. Ridership is still less than half what it was in 2019, with BART reporting only 50.7 million in 2024.

The system also faces growing questions about its long-term sustainability, its safety, and its management of taxpayer dollars.

This is not the first time BART has received a bailout from taxpayers. A $350 million bailout was provided in 2023.

A two-mile extension in San Francisco, which opened in 2023, was plagued by delays and budget overruns, costing $300 million above its original budget when it finally opened. Many observers criticized the high costs for such a short line.

Remote work and rideshare apps are part of the decline in ridership, but these factors alone do not absolve officials of responsibility. A 2023 survey by the Bay Area Council found 78 percent of BART riders and former riders would ride more often if the trains and stations were cleaner and safer.

BART reported in 2025 that there were 158 instances of aggravated assault, three rapes, 744 acts of larceny and 219 car thefts. The agency made progress in most categories, although aggravated assaults increased in 2025.

Whether the loan will reverse the system’s financial challenges remains unclear, as officials continue to face concerns about safety, reliability and long-term ridership.

Featured image photo attribution: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom