What Happened to BART Service: Systemwide Shutdown Hits Bay Area

BART service stopped Friday morning across the Bay Area. The agency said a computer equipment problem caused the shutdown. The issue came after network upgrade work late Thursday night. No trains were running as of early morning. Officials asked commuters to use other transit options.

BART spokesperson Alicia Trost told local media the system must be rebooted before trains can move again. She warned it could take at least an hour for trains to restart once the reboot is complete. The agency gave no timeline for when full service might return.

BART Computer Failure Stops Trains

The failure came just as commuters prepared for the morning rush. According to ABC7 Bay Area, the problem started after planned network upgrade work. The new equipment caused an unexpected system error. Officials could not launch the control system, leaving all trains stopped.

The system must be fully online before any train can leave a station. That safety rule applies across the network. BART said crews are working to restart the system as fast as possible. Passengers were told to use buses, ferries, or other rail lines.

The shutdown adds to a series of service problems this year. In May, a similar computer failure caused a systemwide halt. That outage stranded 40,000 riders. Two weeks later, a fire at San Leandro disrupted Green Line service for days. More recently, smoke in the Transbay Tube forced evacuations.

Impact on Bay Area Commuters

The sudden halt left thousands of people stuck Friday morning. Many riders depend on BART to reach work or school. Without trains, roads and buses filled quickly. Traffic delays grew around Oakland, San Francisco, and Berkeley.

Transit maps were shared online to guide passengers to alternatives. Buses and ferries saw heavy demand. Some commuters reported waits of more than an hour. For many, this was the second or third major disruption in recent months.

The repeated outages raise questions about the reliability of BART’s technology. Riders and officials worry the system is too fragile. Some call for faster upgrades and stronger backup plans. Others fear these failures will push more people back into cars, adding to traffic and pollution.

BART has not said when trains will roll again. Officials say they are working nonstop to fix the computer problem. Riders are urged to plan ahead, check updates, and expect delays. The agency admitted full service may not return until later in the day.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happened to BART service today?

A computer equipment problem stopped all trains Friday morning. The issue came after network upgrade work. Service is still down.

Q2: How long will BART be shut down?

No exact time has been given. Officials say once the system reboots, it will take at least an hour before trains can run.

Q3: What should commuters do during the outage?

BART has asked riders to use buses, ferries, or other transit lines. Online maps show alternate routes to San Francisco.

Q4: Has BART had other shutdowns this year?

Yes. In May a computer issue stopped trains. In June a fire at San Leandro disrupted service. Recently, smoke filled the Transbay Tube.

Q5: Why is the BART system shutting down often?

Officials point to aging equipment and computer system upgrades. Riders and experts say the network needs more investment.