SF BART Upgrades Fare Gates to Speed Commutes
BART installs new fare gates at South San Francisco as part of $85M systemwide upgrade
BART Adds New Fare Gates at South San Francisco
BART's installing Next Generation Fare Gates at South San Francisco Station to improve security and speed up passenger flow for Bay Area commuters. The transit agency announced the upgrade July 2, though officials haven't said when installation will be complete. The new gates are part of BART's systemwide modernization program that's replacing over 700 fare gates across its 50-station network.
Part of $85 Million Systemwide Program
The South San Francisco installation is part of BART's broader infrastructure modernization effort that began in 2018. BART's Board approved an $85 million contract with Cubic Transportation Systems in November 2023 to expand the Next Generation Fare Gates program across the system. The upgrades address fare evasion that's cost BART an estimated $25 million annually, according to transit officials. South San Francisco Station opened in 1972 as part of the original BART system, and officials said the 50-year-old infrastructure needs modernization.
New Gates Designed to Reduce Fare Evasion
The Next Generation Fare Gates feature taller barriers and faster-closing doors compared to BART's older gates, transit officials said. The design aims to reduce fare evasion while improving passenger flow during peak commute hours. BART hasn't specified how many gates are being installed at South San Francisco Station or the station-specific cost. The new gates accommodate contactless payment methods and comply with federal accessibility requirements for passengers with disabilities and mobility devices.
Installation Timeline Remains Unclear
BART announced the South San Francisco Station installation in early July 2025, with work currently ongoing. Officials haven't provided a specific completion date or said whether the installation will affect station operations. Transit agencies typically notify riders several weeks before major service changes, though BART hasn't announced plans for advance notice about this project.
What Riders Need to Know
Commuters using South San Francisco Station should expect the new fare gates to reduce wait times once installation's complete, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Officials said the gates will accept multiple payment methods and provide faster entry and exit. Station-specific ridership data wasn't available, though BART serves about 400,000 riders on average weekdays systemwide. Moovit provides real-time updates for BART routes and station information throughout the Bay Area.
