BART Brings Back Mask Mandate with $75 Fines
BART Board reinstitutes mask mandate effective immediately
RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2022
The BART Board of Directors today voted to reinstitute a face mask requirement effective immediately until and inclusive of October 1, 2022, unless further extended by the board. The previous mask mandate expired on July 18, 2022. 10 days later BART has reinstated it
The temporary amendment to the District’s Code of Conduct requires riders to wear face masks that fully cover a person’s nose and mouth in paid areas of the system with limited exceptions. This requirement applies to trains and all portions of stations beyond the fare gates. Children ages two and under as well as people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate.
BART Mask Mandate Returns
- Effective July 28, 2022 through October 1, 2022
- Set to expire on October 2, 2022
- BART Board will decide on September 22 if mandate will be expanded further
- Free masks available at station agent booths
- Violators subject to $75 citation or ejection from paid area
The Board will agendize an action item at the September 22, 2022, meeting to determine if the mandate should be extended.
Free face masks are available at station agent booths and from all safety staff for those who need one. BART PD will continue its education-based enforcement of the mask requirement by offering free masks to anyone who needs one before taking any enforcement action which could include a citation up to $75 or being ejected from the paid area.
Throughout the pandemic BART has prioritized the safety of riders. BART has installed MERV 14 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) air filters on all train cars new and old. These filters are dense enough to trap the virus and provide an extra layer of protection to our riders. Air is replaced every 70 seconds onboard cars mixing filtered air with fresh air. That means the circulation on BART train cars is better than most offices.
See the full press release
