BART’s average weekday ridership declined by nearly 10 percent in the most recent quarter compared to the same period a year ago, BART directors were told today.
Paul Oversier, the transit agency’s assistant general manager for operations, said average weekday ridership dropped by 9.7 percent, to 338,482 passengers a day, in the period from June through September and total ridership was down 8.9 percent.
However, Oversier said ridership was down only 3.5 percent in October, when BART set several one-day ridership records while the Bay Bridge was closed for emergency repairs.
“We were helped substantially by the events at the Bay Bridge,” said Oversier, referring to the closure of the span from the night of Oct. 27 to the morning of Nov. 2.
He said ridership was down 5.9 percent in November compared to the same month last year.
The October and November results will be reflected in BART’s next quarterly performance report, which will also include December’s ridership totals.
Oversier said that because revenues from ridership and sales taxes are both down significantly, BART is considering eliminating between 70 and 80 positions when it adjusts its budget in January.
He said BART “is struggling mightily” to eliminate the jobs through attrition instead of laying off people.
“We want to avoid having anyone lose their job,” Oversier said.
