The Fleet of the Future already solves many of SFGate's points on what BART's top priorities should be. In their latest article on BART, SFGate listed their top priorities and issues for the aging transit system to address in the near future. Each of their points are either highly questionable or flawed, however, something we wish to look at closer. SFGate lists ten points, in order from most-to-least imperative, for BART they wish to see improved/fixed/repaired in the future. It's time to critique each individual one. 10. "Install train time boards by the ticket machines." These electronic screens are already installed at many stations in the BART system, from Pleasant Hill to 19th St/Oakland and many more. While they are not universally adopted for every station as of current, BART plans to roll out real-time departure screens at every station in the near future. 9. "Add more hand-holds and poles." This is an issue BART has never fully dealt with, but with the Fleet of the Future on the near horizon, there will be plenty of hand rails and lower bars to hold onto for shorter people very soon. Adding more handle straps to the current aging fleet would be rather frivolous, as these cars are set to be retired over the next five years. 8. "Weatherproof the system." Rain is a chronic issue for BART, often causing delays due to electrical failures on tracks. That said, very little can be done to improve BART's performance in wet conditions, seeing as the system is powered exclusively by electricity from the high-voltage third rail. 7. "Guarantee that the security cameras are actually working — and real." Widespread outrage occurred after it was revealed in January 2016 that less than a third of BART's security cameras on trains were real. While BART is working to replace all fake cameras on current old trains, the Fleet of the Future will be equipped with fully functional cameras. This issue is set to disperse over the next several years, should the Fleet of the Future roll out as planned. 6. "Grind the rails so that we don’t lose our hearing every time we go through a tunnel." BART already does this. The general public never sees this process occurring, since work is only performed after the system shuts down past midnight to 4 AM, but BART certainly grinds its rails regularly. The reason trains are so loud is due to old age and worn-out ties on the tracks, not because BART doesn't grind rails enough. 5. "Add late-night Friday and Saturday service." White it would be beneficial to a handful of late-night riders, BART uses every second the system is shut down to work on countless projects, including grinding rails, repairing trains, and fixing track. Taking away this time, even if it's only for two days a week, would give BART far fewer hours to work on the system while it's not in use. 4. "Replace or fix the escalators and elevators." BART is already replacing its many old, distasteful elevators in San Francisco stations. While it may seem BART lets its escalators fall into a state of disrepair, a team of workers is constantly surveying which escalators are down in the system and repairing them as quickly as possible. BART has even explained the process by which workers repair escalators in this video. 3. "Make all trains 10 cars during commute hours." On the Pittsburg/Bay Point - SFO/Millbrae line, all trains during peak hours already consist of ten cars. As for the rest of BART's lines, there are simply not enough train cars to support 10-car trains for every line... yet. If the Fleet of the Future roll-out occurs properly over the course of the next five years, BART will be able to run trains at greater frequencies, with more cars. 2. "Or, barring that, add more commuter special trains." Again, there are simply not enough train cars for BART to do this. 1. "More trains. Period." For the third time, it is not possible for BART to add more cars as of current. The Fleet of the Future will add 106 new cars to the BART system over the next several years. While we understand SFGate's issues regarding BART, they are all intellectually flawed to a certain extent. It is important to understand the limits BART is bound to in terms of progress and working on sustaining the system for generations to come. SFGate does not seem to understand this. While it is understandable the issues people wish to see BART address, there is a limit as to what the people who ensure the system runs every day can accomplish.
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