BART to Open May 10
BART to Open May 10
Festivities, Changes in Other Transit Services To Mark Opening
Starting May 10, life will get a little bit easier for Hacienda commuters as the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) opens its Dublin-Pleasanton extension. The station's opening will also trigger expansion of local transit services offered by the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority.
A host of events will celebrate completion of the $517 million project, construction of which began in October, 1991. The opening itself will be marked by a variety of festivities. BART is also sponsoring a series of orientations entitled "BART 101" on April 10 and 24 at the AT&T Conference Center in Hacienda.
Commutes Simplified
BART's completion will simplify the commutes of thousands of Hacienda employees. The new extension will have the status of a separate line on the BART system, which means that it will not always be necessary for passengers to transfer trains. The new line will run between Hacienda and Colma-Daly City on a route that includes the following stations: Castro Valley, Bay Fair, San Leandro, Coliseum/Oakland Airport, Fruitvale, Lake Merritt, West Oakland, Embarcadero, Montgomery Street, Powell Street, Civic Center, 16th Street Mission, 24th Street Mission, Glen Park, Balboa Park, Daly City, and Colma. Access to the rest of the BART system can be accomplished through transfers.
One-way fares from Dublin-Pleasanton will range from $1.10 to Castro Valley and Bay Fair to $4.65 to Pittsburg/Bay Point, with most fares in the $2.75 to $4.05 range. Trips to downtown San Francisco, for example, will cost $4.05.
Timely Service
On weekdays, the first train will depart Dublin-Pleasanton at 3:58 am, followed by trains 30 and 60 minutes later. Beginning with the 4:58 am train, subsequent trains will leave every 15 minutes through 6:43 pm, when trains begin departing every 20 minutes until the final departure at midnight.
Incoming trains will arrive on a similar schedule, with approximately 15 minutes between trains from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm, when trains begin arriving every 20 minutes. The last direct train arrives at 12:52 am. One additional run from Bay Fair to Dublin-Pleasanton arrives at 1:24 am.
On every trip throughout the day, it will take just an hour to get from Daly City to Dublin-Pleasanton. From downtown San Francisco, it's a 40- to 45-minute trip. Those taking in an Oakland A's game at the Coliseum can expect just a 19-minute ride.
BART 101, an Orientation
In order to allow both individuals and businesses to take full advantage of this new resource, BART is sponsoring a special orientation, BART 101, to explain the basics of BART use as well as special programs that are available to businesses. The orientations will be held at the AT&T Conference Center on April 10th and 24th from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. The same program is being held on two different dates for those with schedule conflicts.
"We'll have the latest BART information and materials," says Brent Herrmann, BART's corporate relations manager. "Employee transportation coordinators and other interested individuals can come and ask basic questions about BART including ticket machine operations, schedules, fares, safety, and other issues."
The idea is to make people comfortable with the new system.
"Representatives from BART Police will answer questions about safety issues and representatives from WHEELS will talk about connecting bus information," he says.
"We want to make sure company representatives can go back to their businesses and answer any questions that may come up."
Information on marketing programs such as the Commuter Check program will also be available to attendees. Herrmann can be reached for more information at (510) 464-7176.
Castro Valley Opens Same Day
The Castro Valley station, also on the extension, will open the same day. This is the first time that BART has opened two new stations on the same day. This is also the first time that BART has added a line from the middle of an existing line.
Photo: Soon, there will be more than just test trains like this one making their stop at the Dublin-Pleasanton station.
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