7/23/2019

Rail News: Safety

Photo – BART



The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Department recently swore in 12 police officers, four community service officers and emergency preparedness manager Jody Traversaro.

The latest additions bring the department's hiring totals for the year to 33 officers and 12 community service officers, compared with the 24 officers and 10 community service officers who were hired last year, BART officials said in a press release.

The 10 new police officers were a mix between lateral officers from other police departments and academy graduates.

The BART Police Department has launched a recruiting campaign that includes wage increases and a $15,000 hiring bonus for academy graduates or experience officers, agency officials said. The fiscal-year 2020 budget provides resources to hire 19 new police officers and four unarmed fare inspectors.

Meanwhile, BART announced it will offer its third green bond issuance on July 29 and 30.

The estimated $600 million of proceeds from the bond sale represents an investment in mass transportation for the Bay Area, BART officials said.

Bonds issued under Measure RR for the BART System Renewal Program will go toward track replacement, tunnel repairs, station improvements and train-control system upgrades.

Bonds sold under Measure AA will finance new improvements to BART facilities or refinance prior projects completed as part of the Earthquake Safety Program. The projects include retrofitting the Transbay Tube and upgrading various portions of BART's system.