BART director: 'We're on course to lose $3.5M/week'

The 16th St. Mission BART station is nearly empty during the morning commute in San Francisco on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The 16th St. Mission BART station is nearly empty during the morning commute in San Francisco on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Photo: Courtesy Trish Gervasio Photo: Courtesy Trish Gervasio Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close BART director: 'We're on course to lose $3.5M/week' 1 / 10 Back to Gallery

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Finding a seat on BART is easy these days.

Concern over spreading COVID-19 has led to a steep decline in people riding the Bay Area transportation system that crosses the San Francisco Bay, so much so that it's on track to lose $3.5 million per week according to one BART director.

"We need local, regional, federal and state support," BART director Janice Li. "We're on course to lose $3.5M/week, and at a time when our cities are slowing down, it is more critical than ever that our public goods and transport can remain safe and reliable options. Get the word out. We need help."

On Tuesday, BART saw only 292,011 passengers, 30% less than a typical Tuesday in February when 415,760 people rode the train. Janice Li, a BART director, tweeted that ridership was down 35% on Wednesday.

On Monday, ridership was down 20% and last week 8%.

"Fewer riders means less revenue to BART," a statement from the transit system said. "Currently 60% of our budget to provide service is from fare dollars. Dips in ridership are a serious financial concern. BART staff is assessing the financial impact, which at current ridership levels is estimated at approximately $450,000 to over $600,000 each weekday in fare revenue loss."

To offset the decline in ridership, BART is pursuing emergency aid from local, state and federal sources to continue delivering service.

Mostly empty seats on BART this morning. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/bzExwfU6iy — Scott Shafer (@scottshafer) March 9, 2020

While concern about the coronavirus' communal spread has heightened as cases continue to pop up in counties around the Bay Area, BART is taking steps to improve their cleanliness such as disinfecting train cars and transit stations more often.

On Wednesday, BART began deploying hand sanitizer at all 48 stations. BART is also recommending that riders keep an arm's length distance from other passengers.

"Increased cleaning will also come with a price tag," BART said. "In the coming days and weeks, BART will be actively pursuing emergency aid from local, state and federal sources to help keep our budget whole and deliver service."

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her news tips at agraff@sfgate.com.

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