BART discusses ballot measure as financial lifeline [Video]

BART’s board of directors are meeting on Thursday to discuss a ballot measure that would give the transit agency a much-needed financial lifeline.

While ridership has grown in the past couple years, BART officials say it’s not back to the level it was before the pandemic.

And they acknowledge that it may never get back to that level.

That’s because the Bay Area has many people who continue to work from home, meaning they don’t commute as often during the week.

Because of that, BART, like many other transit agencies, is  facing a financial crisis after next year, when state and federal emergency funds run out.

BART is facing a $35 million deficit starting in 2026.

The agency says it would have to cut service from 60% to 85% if it wanted to cut its way out of that budget hole.

Some BART directors are saying that a possible ballot …