BART approves 'worst-case scenario' budget plan if it doesn't secure additional funding
SAN FRANCSICO (KGO) -- On Thursday, the BART board of directors voted 8-1 to approve a plan for the worst-case scenario.
What would happen if the agency didn't secure additional funding? The potential fix is closing up to 15 stations, reducing train service and laying off 1,200 employees.
"Hopefully we don't have to do any of this, but we absolutely have to balance the budget. We have a structural deficit of $350 to $400 million, and that requires significant cuts to fill if no new revenue comes in," said BART Spokesperson Alcia Trost.
MORE: Newsom signs legislation authorizing $590 million emergency loan for Bay Area transit agencies
Trost said recent legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newson authorizing a loan of $590 million to transit agencies, including BART, would only be used if a potential November ballot tax measure passes.
"If the measure fails, we won't use the loan because we can't pay it back," Trost said.
The board's decision comes after the latest disruption on Thursday impacted service between the West Oakland and 24th St. Mission stations. Trains through the Transbay Tube and downtown San Francisco stopped running for just under an hour during the peak morning commute.
