SF BART Upgrades San Bruno With Smarter Fare Gates
BART installing Next Generation Fare Gates at San Bruno Station as part of system-wide upgrade
BART Adds New Fare Gates at San Bruno Station
BART's installing Next Generation Fare Gates at San Bruno Station, transit officials said July 17. The upgrade brings advanced fare collection technology to the station, though officials haven't announced when installation will begin or how long the work will take. The new gates feature wider openings designed to accommodate passengers with luggage, bicycles, and mobility devices while reducing fare evasion.
Part of System-Wide Modernization
The San Bruno installation is part of BART's ongoing effort to replace aging fare gates across its 50-station system. The transit agency launched the Next Generation Fare Gates program in 2018 to address fare evasion and improve accessibility. BART estimated it was losing $15-25 million annually to fare evasion before the new gates, according to agency data. The Board approved an $89 million contract in November 2023 for additional installations system-wide, bringing total program investment to $200 million.
Advanced Technology and Accessibility
The new fare gates use advanced sensors to detect fare evasion attempts while maintaining smooth passenger flow for paying riders. BART's planning to install about 700 Next Generation Fare Gates across the system, though officials didn't specify how many gates San Bruno Station will receive. The gates meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and feature wider openings than the older models they're replacing. Transit agencies in New York, Washington, and London have installed similar wide-aisle gates to balance accessibility with fare enforcement.
Installation Timeline Unclear
Officials haven't provided a specific timeline for when installation will begin at San Bruno Station or how long the work will take. BART typically completes fare gate installations while stations remain open, working to minimize disruptions to daily operations. The agency's installed Next Generation Fare Gates at several stations since 2018, including Downtown Berkeley and 19th Street Oakland.
What Riders Need to Know
San Bruno Station riders should expect construction activity during installation, though BART didn't say whether any station entrances will be temporarily closed. The transit agency serves about 400,000 riders on an average weekday across the Bay Area. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on San Bruno Station access and service alerts during the installation period.
