BART Adjusts Service for Critical Tube Maintenance

BART reduces service to 30-minute intervals on April 19 and May 10 for Transbay Tube work

BART Cuts Transbay Tube to One Track April 19, May 10

BART riders crossing San Francisco Bay will face major service reductions on two upcoming Sundays as the transit agency conducts critical lighting replacement work in the Transbay Tube. The work is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 and Sunday, May 10, with trains running every 30 minutes systemwide instead of normal frequencies. Only three of BART's five lines will operate during the all-day maintenance work, which requires single-track operation through the underwater tunnel connecting San Francisco and Oakland.

Aging Infrastructure Requires Maintenance

The Transbay Tube, which opened in 1974, requires ongoing maintenance to keep its systems operational and safe for the roughly 28,000 weekday riders who use it. The lighting replacement work addresses aging infrastructure in the 3.6-mile underwater tunnel. Single-track operation is necessary because crews need access to one tube while trains continue running through the other, transit officials said. BART typically schedules major Transbay Tube work on Sundays when ridership is lowest, though officials didn't specify how many riders will be affected on these particular maintenance days.

Three Lines Operating, Two Suspended

Only Blue, Yellow, and Orange lines will run during the maintenance days, while Red and Green Line service won't operate. A Yellow Line shuttle train will run between SFO and Millbrae all day for airport access, though passengers traveling beyond SFO must transfer to continue their journey. The 30-minute systemwide frequency represents a significant reduction from typical Sunday service. BART's Trip Planner will be updated to reflect the schedule changes, officials said.

All-Day Work on Both Sundays

The lighting replacement work will take place for the entire day on both April 19 and May 10, requiring riders to plan for extended travel times throughout each Sunday. Officials said the single-track operation means trains must wait for opposing traffic to clear before proceeding through the tube. The agency didn't provide specific start and end times for the maintenance window or say whether early morning or late evening service would operate on normal schedules.

Riders Should Plan Ahead

Transit officials strongly encouraged riders to plan trips in advance to account for the reduced service, particularly those with time-sensitive commitments like airport flights. Passengers should expect longer waits between trains and potential crowding on the three operating lines. Moovit provides real-time BART updates and alternative route planning for Bay Area transit riders navigating the service changes.