This edition of "Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART" features John Allen, who is a Transit Vehicle Mechanic at BART’s Hayward Maintenance Complex. John is BART's answer to MacGyver. In his time at BART, he's become an expert at keeping some of the oldest trains in the entire fleet in operation. We'll learn how he and his fellow mechanics use creativity, reverse engineering, and anything they can lay their hands on the Internet to keep these trains moving.

Read the transcript: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20221028

Resourceful and determined mechanics keep 50-year-old train cars moving

Not One More Girl is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at stopping gender-based violence and sexual harassment on public transportation. BART has been a partner in the campaign that first launched in April of 2021. Not One More Girl just launched its second phase, which places an emphasis on enabling people to have a greater sense of empowerment in a harassment situation. On this episode of Hidden Tracks, BART's Anna Duckworth speaks with Anyka Howard, founder and CEO of the Betti Ono Foundation, which partnered with the Unity Council's Latin X Mentorship and Achievement Program and BART for phase two of the Not One More Girl campaign. 

Read the transcript: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230927-0

Addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence on BART through Not One More Girl Initiative

On this edition of our podcast, "Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART", we'll hear from Casey Unger, who is a Transportation Supervisor based in our Daly City Yard. As a Transportation Supervisor, Casey plays a critical role in BART's daily ability to implement its service plan. But before he got a promotion, Unger was a Train Operator and a very popular one known for his memorable announcements.

Read the transcript: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20231030

A lifelong passion for transit inspires a BART Supervisor to improve your ride

BART’s base train schedule now consists of all new Fleet of the Future trains, a major milestone for a project that’s been more than a decade in the making. On our latest edition of “Hidden Tracks: Stories From BART,” Project Manager John Garnham reveals how fast the new cars speed along BART’s test track, explains why the process of building the outer shell is a bit like using a classic DIY toy and other insider nuggets.

Read the transcript: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240109

The future is now; the journey of the Fleet of the Future from blueprint to backbone of BART

When it comes to rebuilding the backbone of BART, the upcoming track work in the heart of Oakland is the main event. Welcome to “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART.” 
 
Years of planning have gone into the track replacement work that’s going to be happening on select weekends over the next three years in the core of the BART system. Organizers are calling this the most challenging and complex segment of BART’s revitalization plan that started in 2016, when District voters approved Measure RR. The measure provides $3.5 billion to replace aging track, traction power cables, and other vital equipment.

This time on Hidden Tracks BART Project Manager Kevin Reeg talks about the challenges of this work and what will be accomplished and BART Operations Planner Hayley Toy shares more about how to navigate BART during all this work and the many efforts we’ve taken to reduce the impacts on riders from these shutdowns.

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240620

What BART's biggest rebuilding project means for your ride

The accuracy of Swiss timing is well known across the globe. But it’s the precision, coordination, and prioritization of their transit system that has the potential to benefit riders here in the Bay Area. On the latest edition of our podcast series, “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART.” Chris Filippi, speaks with BART Manager of Strategic and Policy Planning Hannah Lindelof, who was recently part of a study group that visited Switzerland. The trip allowed Lindelof to observe their integrated transit system in action. She’s now back and shares lessons learned about how the Bay Area can put the rider first and make public transit the most appealing option for more people. 

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240827

Lessons from Switzerland could improve your ride on Bay Area transit

BART's innovative Art Program is making a huge difference in the transit experience of our riders.  Since its inception in the 1960s, BART has prioritized bringing art and cultural experiences to stations. On our latest edition of “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART,” BART Art Program Manager Jennifer Easton discusses the wide range of projects her one-woman department has undertaken – from murals and fashion shows to poetry contests and safety initiatives – and makes the case for the importance of weaving art and culture into the transit experience.

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20241119

How BART’s Art Program uplifts community, culture, and the economy

There's a new sport gaining popularity across the globe, transit speedrunning, and today we'll take a deep dive into what it takes to speedrun BART. On the latest edition of BART's podcast series “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART” Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost speaks with three guests who have set records speedrunning BART.

A speedrun is the total time it takes to travel through all 50 BART stations. It's a race against the clock to ride every BART line as fast as possible. Ameen DaCosta, Enzo Wu, and Adam, who runs the YouTube page, “Adam Does Not Exist” share their exploits and talk about what it could take to set an even faster record.

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20241226

Speedrunners push their limits to set records on the BART system

BART’s independent watchdog is producing results for riders and taxpayers. The Office of Inspector General plans, directs, and manages oversight of all BART District activities and operations. The goal is to ensure BART is using its resources effectively, following industry best practices, and complying with the law. On this edition of “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART,” we’re joined by BART’s Inspector General Claudette Biemeret who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to lead the team that provides independent oversight for BART. 

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20250605

BART’s Inspector General is asking tough questions and saving taxpayers millions of dollars

Sometimes all it takes is changing something as small as how BART cleaners store and keep track of their mops to make a big improvement in the rider experience. On this edition of "Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART," Chris Filippi from the BART Communications Department is joined by Jessie Rubin who is BART’s Senior Manager of Performance and Innovation. Rubin’s team is leading an effort to take some of the best ideas from BART staff and turn them into real-world improvements that can transform the daily rider experience. This “from the bottom up” effort to spur innovation is giving employees a voice and it’s really true that if there is something that is a pain point for a BART employee, it’s likely also an issue for riders.

Read the transcript: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20251014

BART Leans into ideas from employees to save money and improve the rider experience

It’s a criticism that’s been around for as long as there has been public transit. “If the people running these systems actually rode the trains, things would be different.” BART is responding to that thought with a program that is making sure dozens of the agency’s top leaders on a consistent basis are riding the system they manage. Welcome to “Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART.” I’m Chris Filippi with the BART Communications Department and on this episode of Hidden Tracks I’m joined by the man who launched the Managers Riding Trains program, BART General Manager Bob Powers.

Read the transcript here: https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20251202

BART managers take to the trains to hear directly from riders

Welcome to BART's new podcast series "Hidden Tracks: Stories from BART."  Our podcasts will give you an inside look at BART, the San Francisco Bay Area's rapid transit system that serves five Bay Area counties.  This is your source for stories about the people who make the system work and our riders.

Resourceful and determined mechanics keep 50-year-old train cars moving

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

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