BART Says Morning Meltdown Was Due to Isolated Device Malfunction, No Further Problems Anticipated

BART experienced a five-hour shutdown on Friday due to an isolated malfunction involving two network devices. General Manager Robert Powers emphasized the agency's commitment to safety while apologizing for the disruption. The issue was detected shortly before 4:30 am, with service resuming by 9:30 am, albeit with delays. Commuters faced increased traffic in San Francisco, as one individual reported a significant rise in travel time due to the loss of BART service. State Senator Scott Wiener highlighted the shutdown's implications for future funding, stressing the need for financial support to prevent service cuts.

BART is currently addressing equipment issues and improving system reliability following the incident. The agency is also engaged in a ten-year modernization project, federally funded in 2020, to enhance its train control system. This project aims to boost train capacity through the Transbay Tube, with the first increase expected by 2028.