Q: I read your column every day, but this is the first time I’ve written to you. My wife and I live in Fremont and have ridden BART regularly for nearly 50 years. Lately, though, we don’t feel safe on BART.
What will make us consider riding BART again? I would like to see the regular and reliable presence of a BART employee walking the length of the train. I would also like to see measures put in place to stop fare evaders from riding the train, such as better gate security and spot checking on the cars for payment.
Barry Walter, Fremont
A: “We hear our riders when they say they feel vulnerable on our system. Violent crimes like the ones that happened on Friday and Sunday are not common on BART. But we also know more must be done to boost safety and that effort is being made,” said BART spokesman Chris Filippi, in response to your comments.
He reports that BART police have more personnel in the system than at any point in BART’s history. BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez has told officers and non-sworn staff that being visible in the system to reassure riders and provide a deterrent against crime is a priority. As an example, BART’s transit ambassadors did more than 5,800 train patrols from January through June of this year. BPD is also actively recruiting sworn officers and offering a $15,000 hiring bonus to new hires.
BART is preparing to install the next generation of fare gates and working to identify $90 million needed to install new gates systemwide. They are piloting a swing-style barrier fare gate. Prototypes installed at multiple stations encircle elevators and bring riders into the paid area of the stations. Staff is developing a funding strategy, including phasing options, for the replacement of existing gates. The next step will be to consider prospective vendors’ proposals to design and manufacture next-generation gates.
Q: I want to give a special “Thank you!” to the CHP motorcycle officer on Highway 4 going east around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.
I often drive between San Ramon and Rio Vista. My biggest safety concern on Highway 4 is the side-zooming driver, diagonally speeding and crisscrossing between cars. After a driver pulled that maneuver around me, I felt it was important to express my gratitude to the officer who caught and stopped the driver near Exit 30 to Rio Vista.
Highway 4 through Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point and Port Chicago is a race track. I’m glad to see CHP presence has returned there.
Kate Spencer
A: I’m sure your thank you will be appreciated. More good news is that CHP will be out more frequently.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Source: www.mercurynews.com