Nice video! As a BART regular, I am glad to see people give the system the recognition it deserves. Here are a few tips and facts that I will say: 1. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the Clipper card on your phone, you can get it right off of the wallet app on IPhone, Apple Watch, and Android, you can check and add balance to your card from anywhere. 2. BART actually uses broad gadge so that the trains would be more stable in high winds.
Reminds me of some of the older rolling stock on the Underground (D78s, 72s & 73s, and in my part of London, BR Class 455s too) though it's a little different.
When I was in Sa Fracisco on a business trip I got to ride Bart. I was impressed how well the system worked. It did remind me f both the Washington DC metro and my local PATCO high speed line. It does serve a large area and has connections with other transit systems to get you around.
In Manhattan NYC Subway and PATH trains converge at some stations and passengers have to leave one system and enter another. In Philly the 8th and Market Street stations on SEPTA'S Market Frankford Line converge with the PATCO Speed Line and requires separate admissions to transfer. Factoid, The PATCO line opened in early '69. Shortly after its opening some BART officials flew to Philly and South Jersey and studied the brand new system.
having seperate fare systems in place for seperate railways is so alien to me, here (london) no matter what train operating company runs the trains, the same system applies, though national rail is more expensive than LU, LO or DLR (and Trams work on bus fares)
@@xander1052 In actuality, the Bay Area also has the same fare system for pretty much any mode of public transit. You pay for everything, from busses to ferries and to commuter rail, using the same Clipper card or Apple/Google wallet card. BART is not actually a subway/metro in the traditional sense. It's more like the Overground but with 4-minute frequencies and 24 trains per hour. Since the fares are distance-based, you have to tag out to exit the paid areas. That's why there isn't a common fare area with SF's Muni Metro stations. SF's Muni Metro is closer to an SF subway/underground with a single flat fare and free transfers to other modes. But it's also a transitional light metro rather than a full heavy subway/metro system. I know that that sounds confusing, but it really isn't. Just get a Clipper card in your Apple wallet and tag in when you see a fare gate. Google maps will guide you to your destinations.
I visited San Francisco for the first time back in 2011. I got to ride the BART from the airport to the city. It was a pleasant experience. Not to mention so much easier to get around without a car, coming from a small car-centric Florida town myself. I fell in love with SF!
Bart's fare collection system is similar to WMATA's fare collection because both of them evolved from a fare collection system manufactured by the same vendor. Bart's cars are roughly the same width and height as WMATA's cars, the wider track gauge was selected to provide greater lateral stability at high speeds and allegedly to prevent the tracks from being used other carriers.
There may be differences in the way stopping is programmed between the two systems but mainly it takes longer to stop because BART routinely goes 69 MPH, a full 10 MPH faster than WMATA ever gs and I believe BART can go up to 79 MPH to make up time in some sections if neeeded. Also, BART is ALWAYS driven by the automated system (other than in maintenance yards) whereas the DC Metro can be and apparently lately is often driven manually.
Actually, BART routinely goes as fast as 80 mph. That's the certified speed limit for the entire system. The trains can actually accelerate to above 100mph, but that is literally above their spec and prohibited. They lowered the scheduled top speed to 70 mph about a decade ago, but that was done to cover up the degrading reliability of BART's ageing fleet. All the track and the trains themselves can and do run at 80 mph all the time. Whenever there is a system delay, the trains will automatically speed up to 80 mph to catch up to their schedule. And because the old trains are still in operation and very "tired" mechanically speaking, BART pretty much runs at 80 mph every day for some significant portion of the day. The heavy interlining means that one line having a delay immediately cascades throughout the rest of the system. So they absolutely need this 10 mph speed reserve to keep the system functioning. Since they're almost done replacing the old trains with the new Alstom units, we're all hoping that the schedule top speed gets bumped back up closer to 80 mph. They should be able to do this in a few years.
@@TohaBgood2 Not all the time. It would not be safe. if the were goning 70/80 mph all the time, they would not be able to stop at stations. Yes they do go that fast in areas like the transbay tube but not in other areas.
if you ride it long enough, you will be able to pick out *multiple* distinct automated voices that each sound like they were tacked onto the system as the system grew
Apparently the original plan was to eventually run the trains across the GG bridge or other crossings and they thought the wider gauge would provide more stability in the high winds they might encounter.
The reason I read why BART is using broad guage was not to fit more passengers but as a countermeasures in the case of an earthquake. Somehow they concluded that this make the vehicle safer. I'm a seismologist so I don't know. Fact is that broad guage is more smooth and stable running a higher speed, but given the fact that we already achieved 572kph om standard guage I think speed was not the reason eighter.
A lot of reasons were given for choosing the broad gauge. But so many competing explanations just sound like a cover-up. I am inclined to believe the theory that they did it in order to prevent a freight rail takeover. The freight companies had just taken over and parted out our beloved Key System. BART was probably terrified of receiving the same end as soon as a random economic downturn hit.
@@williamerazo3921 No, that's actually a thing. BART has put attendants in all the bathrooms after getting cleanliness complaints. They only reopened the bathrooms about a year ago. So now each bathroom has an attendant to keep the bathroom clean. Also, all the elevators in downtown SF now have attendants for the same reason. In all honesty, I found BART's bathrooms in pretty pristine condition a few weeks back when I had to use one.
Thank you very much for this very interesting video presentation. Please forgive my ignorance but what is the gauge of the bart system? The trains did seem nice and spacious, it is a pity about restrooms, it seems a problem whenever you allow the public into them. Sadly, the attitude of some is, ' I finished using it now, I don't care about anybody else using this facility '.
I love how honest your grandparents were about the BART. I grew up using BART and now use DC metro. I prefer the Metro. It's not as loud and the system map is better, I think. You got very lucky and rode a new train. I unfortunately haven't gotten to try one yet. I hope they are quieter than the old ones becuase the old ones are painfully loud.
Have you ever considered expanding your channel to include parks like Central Park or Boston emerald necklace series of parks or open public spaces in general
I lived in daly city for 3 years and I commuted on bart to my work in Bay Point. Its loud but the train sounds are awesome. I have always been used to the quick Korean trains so this was a shock but a welcome one.
I'm sorry, but compared to some of the transit systems that you have reviewed on this channel and given glowing praise, BART is a downright Star Trek Metro! Come on! BART has brand new Alstom trains, 4-minute frequencies in the core, 80 mph trains, full ADA accessibility, full automation. What other system anywhere in the US even remotely compares to this? I don't get what all this hate is for BART in the transit tuber community. I guess a bunch of you out-of-towners just don't expect "car-dystopic" California to have good transit. But this ain't California; this is the Bay Area. And BART is genuinely head and shoulders above pretty much any US metro. Yes, WMATA is very similar but it is in a perpetual state of disrepair. Everything on WMATA is constantly broken or falling apart. Yes, the NY subway has better coverage and 24 h service (technically, in actuality the night schedule is worse than useless compared to Asian metros). But it is ancient, dirty, unsafe, dangerous, and confusing. BART actually does a lot of things much better than any other metro on this continent. And now they're upgrading pretty much the entire system another head above any US system. The new trains are just the beginning. BART is getting modern CBTC and track upgrades for 2-minute frequencies. They're expanding to San Jose. They're homogenizing their schedule for consistent pulse service 7 days per week. No other system in the country is doing any of this. BART is.
He was on a new Alstom train so he probably didn't hear that. That's mostly gone on the new trains. There's still higher noise levels in the Transbay tube, but it's an order of magnitude quieter than on the old trains. The new wheel profiles and proper soundproofing make a difference.
@@kevinhoward9593 PATCO is a single line. BART is a true multi-line metro system. Hence, PATCO was the first fully automated _line_, but BART was the first fully automated rapid rail _system_ in the world. Plus PATCO beat BART by three years. That's fractions of a second in infrastructure construction time.
Nice video! As a BART regular, I am glad to see people give the system the recognition it deserves. Here are a few tips and facts that I will say:
1. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the Clipper card on your phone, you can get it right off of the wallet app on IPhone, Apple Watch, and Android, you can check and add balance to your card from anywhere.
2. BART actually uses broad gadge so that the trains would be more stable in high winds.
1:44 Holdup! That noise up there sounds very... VERY familiar... **Flashbacks to the Old DC Metro Trains**
Reminds me of some of the older rolling stock on the Underground (D78s, 72s & 73s, and in my part of London, BR Class 455s too) though it's a little different.
@@xander1052Wow, really? I gotta check those trains out. Got any footage?
When I was in Sa Fracisco on a business trip I got to ride Bart. I was impressed how well the system worked. It did remind me f both the Washington DC metro and my local PATCO high speed line. It does serve a large area and has connections with other transit systems to get you around.
In Manhattan NYC Subway and PATH trains converge at some stations and passengers have to leave one system and enter another. In Philly the 8th and Market Street stations on SEPTA'S Market Frankford Line converge with the PATCO Speed Line and requires separate admissions to transfer. Factoid, The PATCO line opened in early '69. Shortly after its opening some BART officials flew to Philly and South Jersey and studied the brand new system.
having seperate fare systems in place for seperate railways is so alien to me, here (london) no matter what train operating company runs the trains, the same system applies, though national rail is more expensive than LU, LO or DLR (and Trams work on bus fares)
@@xander1052 In actuality, the Bay Area also has the same fare system for pretty much any mode of public transit. You pay for everything, from busses to ferries and to commuter rail, using the same Clipper card or Apple/Google wallet card. BART is not actually a subway/metro in the traditional sense. It's more like the Overground but with 4-minute frequencies and 24 trains per hour. Since the fares are distance-based, you have to tag out to exit the paid areas. That's why there isn't a common fare area with SF's Muni Metro stations.
SF's Muni Metro is closer to an SF subway/underground with a single flat fare and free transfers to other modes. But it's also a transitional light metro rather than a full heavy subway/metro system. I know that that sounds confusing, but it really isn't. Just get a Clipper card in your Apple wallet and tag in when you see a fare gate. Google maps will guide you to your destinations.
I visited San Francisco for the first time back in 2011. I got to ride the BART from the airport to the city. It was a pleasant experience. Not to mention so much easier to get around without a car, coming from a small car-centric Florida town myself. I fell in love with SF!
Also a PCC cameo
Would love to travel on the PCC and on the BART metro when i would visit San Francisco one day. In the Hague we also had PCC cars.
Bart's fare collection system is similar to WMATA's fare collection because both of them evolved from a fare collection system manufactured by the same vendor. Bart's cars are roughly the same width and height as WMATA's cars, the wider track gauge was selected to provide greater lateral stability at high speeds and allegedly to prevent the tracks from being used other carriers.
There may be differences in the way stopping is programmed between the two systems but mainly it takes longer to stop because BART routinely goes 69 MPH, a full 10 MPH faster than WMATA ever gs and I believe BART can go up to 79 MPH to make up time in some sections if neeeded. Also, BART is ALWAYS driven by the automated system (other than in maintenance yards) whereas the DC Metro can be and apparently lately is often driven manually.
Actually, BART routinely goes as fast as 80 mph. That's the certified speed limit for the entire system. The trains can actually accelerate to above 100mph, but that is literally above their spec and prohibited.
They lowered the scheduled top speed to 70 mph about a decade ago, but that was done to cover up the degrading reliability of BART's ageing fleet. All the track and the trains themselves can and do run at 80 mph all the time. Whenever there is a system delay, the trains will automatically speed up to 80 mph to catch up to their schedule. And because the old trains are still in operation and very "tired" mechanically speaking, BART pretty much runs at 80 mph every day for some significant portion of the day. The heavy interlining means that one line having a delay immediately cascades throughout the rest of the system. So they absolutely need this 10 mph speed reserve to keep the system functioning.
Since they're almost done replacing the old trains with the new Alstom units, we're all hoping that the schedule top speed gets bumped back up closer to 80 mph. They should be able to do this in a few years.
@@TohaBgood2 Not all the time. It would not be safe. if the were goning 70/80 mph all the time, they would not be able to stop at stations. Yes they do go that fast in areas like the transbay tube but not in other areas.
@@rileyburnett720 Well, duh. But that's literally true of any railroad top speed. They always have to slow down for stations and slow curves.
tell me why I just started watching you two weeks ago and now all of a sudden your riding my favorite transit system BART
Computer voices have a name, George and Gracie! In fact people love it so much that they modernized the system but kept the old voices.
1:24 and Madrid likewise (mostly lines 2, 3, 4, and 6)
if you ride it long enough, you will be able to pick out *multiple* distinct automated voices that each sound like they were tacked onto the system as the system grew
How do your grandparents feel about cities? Mine are staunchly conservative so they only would go into if they must.
how sad
Broad gauge for speed
For stability at speed. But yes, the official story is that they did it to be able to comfortably run the trains at 80 mph.
Apparently the original plan was to eventually run the trains across the GG bridge or other crossings and they thought the wider gauge would provide more stability in the high winds they might encounter.
The reason I read why BART is using broad guage was not to fit more passengers but as a countermeasures in the case of an earthquake. Somehow they concluded that this make the vehicle safer. I'm a seismologist so I don't know.
Fact is that broad guage is more smooth and stable running a higher speed, but given the fact that we already achieved 572kph om standard guage I think speed was not the reason eighter.
A lot of reasons were given for choosing the broad gauge. But so many competing explanations just sound like a cover-up. I am inclined to believe the theory that they did it in order to prevent a freight rail takeover. The freight companies had just taken over and parted out our beloved Key System. BART was probably terrified of receiving the same end as soon as a random economic downturn hit.
1:50 Tracks similar to most Indian Metro Rails e.g.Delhi & Kolkata.
3:15 The door closing chime sounds like the one for Phoenix Valley Metro's Siemens S700 trains. I find that surprising!
Ngl I found the restrooms on bart quite clean compared to most US cities.
😂 that’s a good one .
@@williamerazo3921 No, that's actually a thing. BART has put attendants in all the bathrooms after getting cleanliness complaints. They only reopened the bathrooms about a year ago. So now each bathroom has an attendant to keep the bathroom clean. Also, all the elevators in downtown SF now have attendants for the same reason.
In all honesty, I found BART's bathrooms in pretty pristine condition a few weeks back when I had to use one.
@@TohaBgood2 It think it was the underground ones that hand the most issues and bart allways closed them. However bart trying to be more modern know.
Thank you very much for this very interesting video presentation. Please forgive my ignorance but what is the gauge of the bart system? The trains did seem nice and spacious, it is a pity about restrooms, it seems a problem whenever you allow the public into them. Sadly, the attitude of some is, ' I finished using it now, I don't care about anybody else using this facility '.
I love how honest your grandparents were about the BART. I grew up using BART and now use DC metro. I prefer the Metro. It's not as loud and the system map is better, I think.
You got very lucky and rode a new train. I unfortunately haven't gotten to try one yet. I hope they are quieter than the old ones becuase the old ones are painfully loud.
They are, but they're far less comfortable.
I assume you're aware that the Washington Metro isn't standard gauge either. It's only 4'8¼" narrow gauge compared to standard gauge at 4'8½".
bart is 5ft 6in gauge.
1:24 actual restrooms on a usa metro system! although according to your grandparents they were nasty
They've already fixed that. Due to extensive complaints BART has put attendants in the bathrooms. Now, they're pretty spectacularly clean.
Have you ever considered expanding your channel to include parks like Central Park or Boston emerald necklace series of parks or open public spaces in general
I lived in daly city for 3 years and I commuted on bart to my work in Bay Point. Its loud but the train sounds are awesome. I have always been used to the quick Korean trains so this was a shock but a welcome one.
I'm sorry, but compared to some of the transit systems that you have reviewed on this channel and given glowing praise, BART is a downright Star Trek Metro! Come on! BART has brand new Alstom trains, 4-minute frequencies in the core, 80 mph trains, full ADA accessibility, full automation. What other system anywhere in the US even remotely compares to this?
I don't get what all this hate is for BART in the transit tuber community. I guess a bunch of you out-of-towners just don't expect "car-dystopic" California to have good transit. But this ain't California; this is the Bay Area. And BART is genuinely head and shoulders above pretty much any US metro. Yes, WMATA is very similar but it is in a perpetual state of disrepair. Everything on WMATA is constantly broken or falling apart. Yes, the NY subway has better coverage and 24 h service (technically, in actuality the night schedule is worse than useless compared to Asian metros). But it is ancient, dirty, unsafe, dangerous, and confusing.
BART actually does a lot of things much better than any other metro on this continent. And now they're upgrading pretty much the entire system another head above any US system. The new trains are just the beginning. BART is getting modern CBTC and track upgrades for 2-minute frequencies. They're expanding to San Jose. They're homogenizing their schedule for consistent pulse service 7 days per week. No other system in the country is doing any of this. BART is.
Fair points!
I actually liked BART
They have a meeting rn and I’m going to ping you on discord
BARt is worst than LA Metro I heard a lots of people says that, that's why LA metro has NO.2 ridership in the country 🥳
bart simpson
and you didn't even include the transbay tube screech????
He was on a new Alstom train so he probably didn't hear that. That's mostly gone on the new trains. There's still higher noise levels in the Transbay tube, but it's an order of magnitude quieter than on the old trains. The new wheel profiles and proper soundproofing make a difference.
Oh yes BART replacement for the Key System bought out by GM One minute faster than wooden cars of Key System.
you should try the SkyTrain in Vancouver. its a fully automated driverless system.
So is BART. In fact, BART is the first fully automated system in the world.
@@TohaBgood2 Actually PATCO opened before BART.
@@kevinhoward9593 PATCO is a single line. BART is a true multi-line metro system. Hence, PATCO was the first fully automated _line_, but BART was the first fully automated rapid rail _system_ in the world.
Plus PATCO beat BART by three years. That's fractions of a second in infrastructure construction time.
BART more like FART
FARTmobile 🤣🤣🤣
cringe