BART has $3.5 billion to spend: Here's what we think they should fix first

What should BART fix first? Click ahead for our ranking. What should BART fix first? Click ahead for our ranking. Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close BART has $3.5 billion to spend: Here's what we think they should fix first 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

In November, the Bay Area voted to pass Measure RR, giving the aging transit system $3.5 billion to rebuild.

"We are grateful for all the Bay Area voters who doubled down on their commitment to transit and to BART, approving the $3.5 billion infrastructure bond designed to keep our system safe and reliable," board President Tom Radulovich said when the measure passed.

Ninety percent of that money is set to be allocated to "replacing BART's safety infrastructure," including fixing power stations, tunnels and the system that controls the trains itself. Money must go toward "replacement and improvement of fixed assets," says BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost.

Ten percent of the money is set to go toward improving the system's chronic congestion — what everyday riders are probably most interested in.

BART is currently ramping up to sell bonds and working on construction plans and system studies. About $210 million in station improvement projects are in the pipeline, but construction isn't set to start until 2018 and only involves modernization plans at six stations. Another $200 million is allocated to help relieve system congestion, but those plans are still in the development phase.

Perhaps predictably for the beleaguered system, the most highly publicized changes are — dare we say — delayed in arriving.

MORE: BART wants to ask voters for bridge toll hike

For starters, the new train cars that BART promised won't be rolling out as expected. Testing has been pushed back by several months. Sixty new cars were supposed to be in service by the end of this year, but that's looking more like 35, BART spokesman Jim Allison told the Mercury News.

In the meantime, you may have noticed some seats missing on your train. BART's experimenting with taking out rows of seats, creating more standing room to reduce crush loads.

While we wait for BART changes, we've put together our list of the things we want fixed first. You'll notice that station cleanliness didn't make the top 10, a testament to how badly the system's infrastructure needs a reboot.

What do you think? What would you like to see fixed or replaced on BART with the Measure RR money?