Public Safety on BART: Insights from a Local Resident (2024)
In the heart of San Francisco, the author embarked on a journey aboard BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, after a recent overnight stay at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. The chosen train, colourful and well-maintained, still carried the signature BART whooshing noise as it glided smoothly along the tracks.
The train arrived on time, and the author had a pick of seats due to the emptiness of the vehicle. Everyone on board was pleasant, civil, and quiet, making for a comfortable journey. The train was running bigger to provide more space for social distancing, a measure put in place to ensure safety during the pandemic.
However, ridership numbers are still substantially lower than pre-pandemic levels, a trend that has been causing financial struggles for BART. Fear of BART's safety is a major reason people aren't riding, but statistics suggest that BART remains quite safe.
In 2022, only 4 people died in homicides on BART property, a stark contrast to the over 450 people who die on the Bay Area's roads every year. A recent study claims that only 17% of people feel safe on BART, but it's important to note that the specific responsible person or group conducting the study is not explicitly mentioned.
Despite the negative headlines, the author's experience at the Embarcadero station was functional and felt safe. Focusing on negative BART stories may create a perception of a worse system than reality. The author took two rides on BART and had normal, uneventful experiences.
Avoiding BART due to fear might lead to missing out on benefits like time and money savings. Up to 160,000 people ride BART each day, mostly without incident. While it's essential to prioritise safety, it's also important to consider the positive aspects of using public transportation like BART.
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