BART Names Bob Franklin District Secretary

Bob Franklin returns to BART District Secretary role after 13 years leading accessibility

BART Names Bob Franklin District Secretary

BART's District Secretary Bob Franklin brings nearly three decades of transit experience to his leadership role, officials said. Franklin returned to the District Secretary's Office in May 2025 after 13 years leading the agency's Customer Access and Accessibility department. His appointment marks a homecoming to the office where his BART career began through a temp agency position years ago.

From Traffic Jams to Transit Advocacy

Franklin's commitment to public transportation started early, shaped by childhood experiences stuck in Bay Bridge traffic. That frustration led to his first BART ride in 1985 to see Bruce Springsteen at the Coliseum, sparking a lifelong dedication to improving Bay Area transit. After graduating from Stanford with an English degree, he worked various environmental jobs before finding his way to BART. His journey reflects how personal experiences with transportation challenges can drive careers in transit improvement.

Eight Years Shaping BART Policy

In 2004, Franklin was elected to the BART Board, serving eight years representing communities from Berkeley to Castro Valley to Orinda. During his board tenure, he focused on improving station access and started the Sustainability Committee, addressing environmental concerns across the transit system. He also helped renovate Rockridge BART Plaza, enhancing the station experience for riders. After leaving the board in 2012, Franklin led the Customer Access and Accessibility department, implementing modern parking policies and coordinating major bus bridges during service disruptions.

Leading Board Communications

As District Secretary, Franklin now oversees board meetings and communications, managing the administrative functions that keep BART's governance running smoothly. The position requires coordinating between board members, agency staff, and the public on policy matters and operational decisions. Officials said his extensive experience across multiple departments gives him unique insight into how board decisions affect daily operations and rider experience.

Capturing Transit Through Art

Outside his professional role, Franklin's an avid painter who often sets up his easel at BART stations to capture the system he's dedicated his career to improving. His dual perspective as both transit administrator and artist offers a unique view of how public spaces function and serve communities. Riders can track BART service updates and plan trips using Moovit, which provides real-time information for Bay Area transit routes.