Accessible Services

Following is a partial list of the features which make it easy for seniors and persons with disabilities to use BART.

If you are blind or vision-impaired:

• Textured rubber tiles along the length of BART train platforms warn passengers that they are close to the platform edge. These tiles can be detected with a cane or foot.
• Train Operators announce the name of the next station as well as instructions for transfers.
• Service animals are permitted in BART stations and on trains.

If you are deaf or hearing-impaired:

• Changeable message signs on the platform announce the destination of each arriving train.
• There is at least one Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) in each BART station.

If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility:

• All BART stations have accessible elevator service to all levels.
• There is level boarding from the platform to all trains.
• All BART cars have space to accommodate wheelchair users.

For all passengers:

• All BART stations have public and white courtesy telephones at all levels that connect directly to the Station Agent.
• All BART cars have designated priority seating near the doors for seniors and persons with disabilities.

DISCOUNT TICKETS
Seniors age 65 and older, disabled persons with a Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card, and people with other valid identification listed below are eligible for discount tickets. You may purchase discount tickets at the Lake Merritt BART Station and some San Francisco stations, from selected retail vendors, by mail and online.

• Green tickets entitle seniors to a 62.5% discount.
• Red tickets entitle disabled persons or Medicare cardholders to a 62.5% discount.

Personal care attendants (PCAs) who accompany disabled passengers on BART are eligible for the discount fare if the use of a PCA is indicated on the RTC Discount Card. People entering or exiting a station using a discount ticket may be asked to verify their eligibility by showing valid identification. Valid ID includes: For seniors using a green ticket:

• Photo ID with proof of age.

ELEVATORS
All BART stations have accessible elevators. In some stations you may need to use two different elevators to get from the street to the train platform level. If you arrive at a BART station and are unable to enter or exit the station because the elevator is not working, contact the Station Agent. They will help you enter or exit in another way if possible, or refer you to an alternate means of transportation such as a bus or paratransit.

If you find out in advance that an elevator is not working at the station you want to go to, call the BART Transit Information Center to find out what transit alternatives are available to you. To check the status of elevator operation at any station, call (510) 834-LIFT or (888) 2-ELEVAT. In case of fire, do not use the elevators.

If you need to communicate with the Station Agent while inside the elevator, use the emergency telephone. If the Station Agent does not answer within 90 seconds, your call will be directed to BART Central Dispatch. If the emergency telephone is picked up for at least two minutes but there is no voice communication, BART will treat this as a call for assistance. This ensures that help is available to elevator passengers even if they are unable to speak.

ESCALATORS
All BART stations have escalators. Generally, the escalators operate in the direction of main passenger flow, which varies depending on the time of day and location. Where possible, escalator service is provided in both directions. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, be sure to hold on to the handrail while using the escalators. Wheelchairs are not allowed on the escalators. To check the status of escalator operation at any station, call the BART Transit Information Center.

AT THE PLATFORM
Stand behind the wide yellow strip of textured rubber tiles that runs along the length of all BART platforms. These tiles can be detected with a cane or foot. Black rubber tiles are used to mark the approximate location of train doors when the train pulls into the station. In some stations, an extra row of black tiles marks the entrance to the two middle cars of the train. Exact door locations may vary. Do not approach the train until it comes to a complete stop.

BOARDING THE TRAIN
Do not approach the train until it comes to a complete stop; the train may adjust its position at the platform before the doors open. Allow passengers to exit before you enter. Pay attention to the narrow gap between the platform edge and the train.

Seats near the train doors are designated as priority seating for seniors and persons with disabilities. Hold on to the vertical handrails, overhead handrails or seat-back handholds to steady your ride when the train is moving.

The Train Operator’s booth is in the first car of the train. Bicycles are not allowed in this car. For these reasons, passengers with disabilities may wish to board the first car of the train.

WHEELCHAIR USERS
Pay special attention to the gap between the platform edge and the train. This gap may vary, so don’t hesitate to move to another car if the gap at a particular door is too great. The Train Operator will wait for you to enter. It is generally preferable for passengers in wheelchairs to enter and exit the train with the rear wheels first or at a slight angle. If possible, position the wheelchair at a right angle to the direction of train travel in the clear area near the door. Lock the wheelchair’s brakes. In some BART cars, a space to the right of the door is reserved for passengers in wheelchairs. The international access symbol marks the outside of these cars.

SERVICE ANIMALS
Passengers with disabilities may ride with their trained service animal. Service animals must be leashed and kept on the floor and out of the aisles as much as possible, and must be under the control of their owners at all times.

EXITING THE TRAIN
Train Operators announce the name of each station as the train approaches. Signs indicating the station name are also visible from inside the train. When leaving the train, move to the doors just prior to arrival. The train may adjust its position at the platform before the doors open.

PARATRANSIT SERVICE
BART provides ADA paratransit service to eligible individuals whose disability prevents them from accessing, boarding or riding BART trains. Service is provided by lift vans and sedans and is generally by reservation only. For more information, visit the Paratransit page.

BART WEBSITE
The BART website incorporates numerous accessibility standards for persons with disabilities including guidelines from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220). BART will provide alternate media to access information about BART programs and services.

If you have suggestions for improving BART website accessibility, please let us know by contacting the BART website manager.