Bart (San Francisco, Oakland, Pleasanton: crime, how much, neighborhoods)

[jribe]

for people that ride BART -how safe is it now? Are there certain spots that are bad? I've ridden before, but it's been years and i'm looking at using it instead of spending $400 a month to park @ Embarcadero

Just looking for some insights- my husband wants me to drive in; and i think BART should be fine during normal commute hours.

thoughts?

[shooting4life]

At commute time all stops are safe.

Though your might be missing its catalytic converter when you get back from work.

[ccm123]

I agree, at rush hour, there are so many people on BART, that it's safe. I have never had any issues. Some stations: Bayfair, Fruitvale, Civic Center feel a little sketchy, especially late at night.

[ServoMiff]

Originally Posted by ccm123

I agree, at rush hour, there are so many people on BART, that it's safe. I have never had any issues. Some stations: Bayfair, Fruitvale, Civic Center feel a little sketchy, especially late at night.

I rarely hear of crime issues right at a specific BART station. I might just be deaf, but I ride BART every day from SF out to Pleasanton, and I go right through the heart of Oakland.

The bigger question is where are you coming from? If you live in any suburban East Bay town, be prepared for a rather uncomfortable commute. The major reason my wife and I moved into the city from Walnut Creek was because her commute on BART was miserable, and she refuses to drive in the city. 10-car trains are crowded to the point of being smashed in like sardines during the 7-10am and 4-7pm rush hours. Standing armpit to elbow in a hot train for 45+ minutes is very taxing.

Driving will take you a lot longer than BART (typically) and will be more expensive with parking and bridge fees (if applicable), but it will be more comfortable. It really depends on how much you value comfort over time.

[artemis78]

Agreed, safety is not the concern--parking and crowded trains are where it will get sticky. Still, not sure it is any worse than driving in rush hour traffic--you'd likely be trading one set of problems for another. If you live somewhere where you're likely to get a seat, that helps a lot. BART will be improving service on the Pittsburg Bay Point line considerably this fall, too (completed a new set of crossover tracks that will allow trains to double back to the city directly from Pleasant Hill, so there will be trains running more frequently between the Mission and Pleasant Hill--should help relieve some of the overcrowding on that line). Where are you coming from?

[Ruth4Truth]

Safe? Why wouldn't it be safe? Have there been safety issues on BART? Why would it only be considered safe during commute hours? I've never had a problem on BART, and I generally ride outside of commute hours. Not late at night, but evenings, and at various daytime hours. It's not the NY subway. Though I've never had a problem there, either.

[bmw335xi]

BART is pretty safe, don't worry

[zeebo1]

BART is very safe. There are more sketchy characters on the Muni lines, but Bart is mostly working class commuters.

What station are you coming/going to? The Bart stations themselves are fine but around some stations is a bit sketchy, such as MacArthur St, West Oakland, and 16th St Mission. But for the most part it is fine.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I agree that it's a miserable ride, though. Crowded, and depending on which route you are on, there can be a horrible high pitched squealing noise that is unbearable to me. I'd rather be stuck in traffic in my car any day.

On the other hand, the Caltrain is really pleasant.

[bay2bay]

ACTransit has commute buses leaving from many East Bay neighborhoods that will get you to their terminal at Howard and Beale Streets in San Francisco as well. A much more civilized commute than BART.