Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART

Passenger numbers on Bay Area public transit are beginning to bounce back from pandemic-era lows, but some agencies are still struggling with a lack of riders and revenue, raising more concerns about long-term financial sustainability.

The COVID-19 lockdowns starting in 2020 hit public transit hard as buses and trains ran nearly empty while many people worked from home and avoided social, entertainment and recreational events. Nationwide, ridership dropped by 30% during the pandemic, and some Bay Area agencies were hit much harder.