BART Systemwide Outage: Commuters Face Chaos, Service Restored
Friday, May 9th, 2025, started with a major disruption for thousands of Bay Area commuters who rely on BART. A systemwide outage, caused by a computer network issue, brought all 50 stations to a standstill.
The Impact: A Commute from Hell
The outage affected an estimated 40,000 commuters – a significant portion of the typical Friday morning ridership of 160,000. The resulting traffic congestion on the Bay Bridge was immense, with many resorting to alternative transportation.
The scene at the Jack London Square ferry station was particularly striking. Hundreds of people, some with luggage and laptops, waited in long lines for a ferry to San Francisco. Many shared their stories of frustration, ingenuity, and even a newfound appreciation for the ferry service.
One commuter, Justin Summers, described the experience as "a little frustrated. It's not the first time BART has gone down for various reasons."
Businesses also felt the impact. Vandor Hill, owner of Whack Donuts on Embarcadero Plaza, noted a slower-than-normal morning, empathizing with his customers who faced significant delays.
The Cause: Network Connectivity Issues
BART officials clarified that the outage wasn't due to the much-discussed outdated train control system. Instead, the problem stemmed from network devices failing to communicate properly. The backup system, unfortunately, interfered with the main system, creating a complete shutdown.
BART spokesperson Alicia Trost explained that the crew "isolated the exact devices that were not properly communicating, and they disconnected them, and that is what allowed everything to work as normal."
Service Restored, But Concerns Remain
Regular BART service resumed around 9:00 AM, but significant delays persisted throughout the day. While BART officials stated that they don't anticipate further issues, the incident highlights concerns about the system's reliability and the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure.
State Senator Scott Wiener commented on the outage, stating that such incidents are a "taste of what's to come" if sufficient funding for transit improvements isn't secured. You can watch his full interview here.
Learning from the Experience
BART General Manager Robert Powers offered an apology for the disruption and emphasized the commitment to continuous improvement. He acknowledged that the control room lacked visibility into the system, which is crucial for safe operation. The agency is now investigating the incident thoroughly and working to prevent similar occurrences.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role public transportation plays in the Bay Area and the critical need for robust and reliable systems to support our daily commutes.
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