Access Overview

Regional Clipper Card and Discounts

Children 4 and under ride free but everyone else must have a Clipper card with funds loaded.  Visit BART's Clipper page to learn more about Clipper and discounts available for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities.   

Paratransit Service

BART provides ADA paratransit service to eligible individuals whose disability prevents them from accessing, boarding or riding BART trains. Service is provided by lift vans and is generally by reservation only. For more information, visit the Paratransit page.

Parking

Stations with parking have specially designated disabled person (DP) parking spaces. If you're using a DP parking space at a station that has daily parking fees, you are required to pay the established parking fees at times when those fees are in effect. Check the parking section for more details.

Service Animals/Pets

Passengers with disabilities may ride with their trained service animal. Service animals must be leashed and kept on the floor and out of the aisles as much as possible and must be under the control of their owners at all times. View BART's service animals and pet policies.

White Courtesy Phones

All BART Stations have public white courtesy telephones near the elevator locations and through out the station at all levels which will connect to a BART Station Agent or connect to the BART’’s Operating Central Center (OCC).

Seating

Green seats prioritized for seniors and persons with disabilities are located to the left of the door on all train cars.  All trains can also accommodate wheelchair users to the right of the doorway.

Example of the priority seating sign displayed on each BART car

Elevators

All BART stations have accessible elevators. In some stations you may need to use two different elevators to get from the street to the train platform level.    Learn more about elevator locations, the accessible pathways for each station, and outage options specific to each station at https://www.bart.gov/guide/accessibility/elevators.

We have created this Elevator Dimension Guide to provide the dimensions of each elevator systemwide to help plan your journey. It outlines the dimensions of each elevator in the system including measurements of the door, width, length, and diagonal space across the floor. 

Check real time elevator status and sign up for elevator outage alerts at bart.gov/elevators.

Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs)

BART has a policy governing the use of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs) within the system. The policy covers all battery-powered, self-balancing, two-wheeled transporters, including the Segway Personal Transporter. Read more about EPAMD use and permits.

BART Access Guide Booklet (PDF Version)

Get a quick accessibility overview in a PDF format under BART Accessibility Guide.

Comic Book Guide to BART (PDF Version)

This helpful booklet guides riders how to use BART in a fun comic-book style.  Download and print your own copy of "LEARN BART! Your Guide to Ride!"

Learn BART! Your Guide to Ride cover page

Please contact Customer Access and Accessibility Department to request a text version of the guide.

BART Accessibility Task Force (BATF)

The BART Accessibility Task Force advises the BART Board of Directors and staff on disability-related issues and advocates on behalf of people with disabilities and seniors to make the BART system accessible to and useable by people regardless of disability or age.

BART Website

The BART website incorporates numerous accessibility standards for persons with disabilities including guidelines from the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220). BART will provide alternate media to access information about BART programs and services. If you have suggestions for improving BART website accessibility, please let us know by contacting the BART website manager.

Emergency Evacuations

BART’s Emergency Plan addresses evacuation of riders with disabilities who require assistance. BART’s Operations Control Center (OCC) is in charge of determining the number and location of passengers on trains who require assistance. Passengers who use wheelchairs are assisted by the local fire department, unless a hazard exists that makes immediate evacuation necessary.

Assisted Evacuation in a Station:

  • If safe, use the elevator to immediately leave the station​
  • If elevator is not working, make yourself known and talk to the Station Agent or use the elevator cab intercom to talk to the Station Agent or Operations Control Center (OCC)​
  • Pick up a white courtesy phone to talk to the Station Agent
  • Ask for assistance from other BART riders or Call 911 on your mobile device​
  • During station evacuation, station will be checked and swept by the Station Agent, OCC via CCTVs, BART Police officers, and/or first responders
  • Rescue personnel will assist persons with disabilities​
  • There is also an evacuation chair present in each station for use by the Fire Department during evacuation 

Assisted Evacuation on a Train

  • In case of an emergency, leave your wheelchair on the train. The walkways and ramps used for evacuation are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs.
  • Passengers who are vision- or hearing-impaired or who use mobility aids should ask for assistance from other passengers.
  • During train evacuations, the train will be checked and swept by the Train Operator, BART Police or first responders. Rescue personnel will assist persons with disabilities

ADA Mobility Device Reunification

In the event a rider is separated from their mobility device due to a train or station evacuation they should call 510-464-7777 or email [email protected] and provide their contact information and staff will coordinate the return of the device.

Restrooms

Nearly all stations have public restrooms. Full details about restrooms can be found here

Accessibility Contacts

BART Accessibility Task Force Citizen Advisory Group:

Elena Van Loo

Senior Administration Analyst (Accessibility)

Customer Access and Accessibility Department

(510) 874-7366, [email protected]

BART Manager of Access and Accessible Services:

Ryan Greene-Roesel

Manager of Access and Accessible Services

Customer Access and Accessibility Department

510-287-4797, [email protected]

Director of Customer Access and Accessibility:

Bob Franklin

Director of Customer Access and Accessibility

510-464-6133, [email protected]

If you wish to call or email any suggestions, comments, or complains, please call BART’s Customer Services Department at (510) 464-6000, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday or email, [email protected].