Improve BART using developed technologies, assess its use using performance measures while increasing ridership in an efficient and cost effectiveness

By Roy Nakadegawa

BART has improved systemwide with less breakdowns and more reliability because we incorporated many parts with developed technology that I am familiar with. BART can make further improvements for efficiency, reliability and reduce operational costs 40-50%, as well as increase capacity and provide seamless transfers between transit systems using developed technology, which I am also familiar with.

As mentioned BART has come a long way to provide an efficient, safe and rider friendly system and a substantial part of this improvement is using advanced developed technology. BART spends about 90% of its annual budget on overall operation/maintenance and improvements to the system. Of the 90% we spend; about 70% on operation/maintenance including employees salaries, plus the electrical energy, planning and designing new improvements and administering these projects. Much of this incorporates developed technology, which I am familiar with.

There are other technologies I am also aware of where we can further improve BART performance and effectiveness and can make BART even more efficient and cost-effective. Many Metro systems I have visited and studied are building fully automated Metro systems like most automated airport people movers. Paris, London, Osaka and Tokyo have built new Metro lines that are fully automated. But one of my self paid trips I visited Lyon, France who has converted an existing Metro line to full automation. They said they are saving about 50% in operational cost and say it is more reliable, safer and trouble free in comparison to their other lines they operate in the conventional manner similar to most Metro systems.

Regarding my trips, some people assume my foreign travels were funded by taxpayers which is not true, of the 12 overseas trips I made to Europe, Japan and South America, I paid for all except one trip, which was funded by the State of Bavaria Transit Industries of Germany. There were a few Conference trips to Canada that was paid by BART or AC Transit sponsored by America Public Transportation Association, which I attended with other Board Members and Staff.

In addition for most all out of town conferences I attended even in Canada, I invariably stay at lower priced hotels usually at ½ to 2/3 of what the conference hotels charged or with friends so I am able to attend transit conferences at far less public cost or which other directors charge about double. I dutifully attend the sessions and am able to get new ideas and keep abreast of what's developing in the industry. At times I will write reports and send them to the Board and Staff of what I experienced. Of the Budget cap that the Board set for Director's travel, I spend 2/3 of the amount because I purposely down in keeping with the deficits we have been facing the last 3 years. Most BART staff knows that I do this because it is unusual and this info traveled through the grapevine.

One needs to know of new developments on operation and maintenance to improve BART because again BART spends around 90% of its budget on operation/maintenance and updating the system in contracts, operation and maintenance. So it is an asset to have a Board Member familiar with developing technology.

Getting back to Lyon, France where they are experienced considerable efficiencies and lowered cost, BART was also designed to operate almost fully automatic and with few additional technology additions we too can operate trains completely automated that would make BART more reliable, safe and efficient. Hans Korve, the President/CEO of a middle size consulting firm who has endorsed me, informed me of his recent visit to Lyon and told me that they now have automated another line and are similarly experiencing increased safety, efficiency and large savings they experience from initial conversion. I am certain that BART will also experience similar benefits if we pursue automation.

We also need to purchase additional train cars that will be more accessible, easier to maintain and operate. I have suggested some car improvements, where some have been incorporated on a trial basis to some of our existing cars and they are proving to be more cost effective.

There is also a need to increase carrying capacity for some of our lines during peak periods are approaching crush loads with standees. About the only way to increase capacity is to operate more frequent trains. Few months ago we have been limited by PUC on the frequency that BART could operate but recently due to the application of a developing technology and thorough testing, PUC has granted approval to use this technology. It will enable BART to operate trains closer together along sections of tracks safely. This technology also will also enable BART to use less electrical energy and provide smoother performance. We have installed this technology to a short portion of the system and it has generally proven as expected and are working on it further to assure its reliability before expansion. Unfortunately it will require additional funding that we do not have and we are seeking funds from other sources such as FTA who grants funds for application of new technology to complete our system. This will allow us to operate more trains safely through the Tube under the Bay through downtown San Francisco and operate up to 50% more trips

On administration, BART last month has awarded a $3+ million contract that will extend over 5 years to computerize much of our archaic operations, much of which is done manually. It will provide greater efficiencies and lower cost where we can transfer this cost savings to operation/maintenance to improve our service. I would like to see this contract through the mentioned 5 years. It incorporates some wireless technology that I have been advocating for some time.

Also there is a need to improve our ticketing system, a subject that I have suggested for years for I knew of the Smart Card technology that has worked exceptionally well in Hong Kong where over 6 million cards have been purchased within 2 years of inauguration. I viewed similar operation in Paris, France where one can even use it to purchase food at their quick food establishments at their stations. Generically it is called the Smart Card, which we call Translink that can be used repeatedly and is rechargeable by the credit or debit card or cash at transit ticketing machines and recently a fare box manufacturer has adapted, saving the rider from the need to go to various store outlets to purchase it. All the transit agencies who use it in the region will save in administration by minimizes cash handling (BART has at some 6 full time employees involved just in cash handling), accounting for transfers as well as minimizing continual purchasing and processing of single throw away tickets. Smart Card even enables a rider to transfer from one agency seamlessly to another using the same Card and will be able to provide discounts in doing so.

Washington DC, Metro is using it where one can pay for their parking and where bus riders will be able to use it and seamlessly transfer to their subway by merely waving and not even touching the card across the sensor and unlike most credit cards where it is passed through a slot of a reader and often one has pass it repeatedly to register.

It will be extended for use on most transit systems in Northern Virginia. Eventually the same card will be usable throughout the State of Maryland because Maryland has a single statewide transit system, so in a few years one will be able to use this single Smart Card throughout this whole wide area.

The Smart Card will provide great convenience and benefits to users as well as improve service. It will speed the access not only into Metro system but more so with buses because it will drastically reduce boarding time that often delays buses at a bus stop up to a minute. Current boarding one has to deal with purchasing the fare by inserting the fare into an unwieldy machine or purchase transfers or process the transfers for reuse that takes time. Boarding the bus with the Smart Card, one can board about as fast as just walking onto the bus. One merely passes the Smart Card by the sensor, which markedly shorten boarding time. This will speed up bus service and improve the overall trip time.

Another interesting facet of it use is that even though there is an initial cost just to buy the card more of the low income riders are paying it for it provides a form of insurance. Since upon purchase the card is registered to the rider, so when it is lost or damaged the rider will call WMATA and a new card will be issued with the remaining value, so if someone finds the card they will not be able to use it. With the current ticket with remaining high value if lost the finder can use the remaining value.

With the Smart Card in the bay region, one can eventually manage to travel with this single card and ride on any transit system in the region. Our card called Translink and is being administered by MTC. Translink has taken much longer time than expected as planned but hopefully it will be functioning with BART by September 2005. BART has already equipped most of our stations for its use.

With my knowledge and experience I believe I am the most qualified candidate to continue on the BART Board and hope you will return me to office.