BART Says Heat Plays Havoc With Trains, Riders

With today turning out to be another scorcher, BART is asking riders to remain cooperative to keep their cool even as it admits that its equiment leaves a bit to be desired.

"The heat can wreak havoc with the air conditioning units on some of our train cars," BART Chief Mechanical Officer Tamar Allen said in a release issued today.

Allen said BART is moving as quickly as it can to upgrade air conditioning units but it may be two years before all of its cars are up to the state of the art.

Meanwhile the system offers these coping tips:

• If you're on a car that seems to have no air conditioning, use the intercoms on either end of the car to let the train operator know so the problem can be reported for maintenance attention (the car number is located at either end of the car above the door). 
• Try moving to another car. Climate control is separate in each car, so you may find greater comfort one car over.
• Don't hold doors open; this can damage the equipment and cause delays.
• Move to the center of the car so others can board, and clear the seats intended for seniors and people with disabilities.
• If you have an important connection to make -- such as an airline flight -- consider taking an earlier-than-normal train to build in extra time in case of heat-related delays.

If all else fails, be patient.

"Forecasters predict that the Bay Area should be back to cooler conditions by this weekend," BART said. 

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