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Blue Line
Daly City-bound train west of Dublin/Pleasanton station in May 2018
Overview
OwnerSan Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
LocaleTri-Valley, East Bay, San Francisco Peninsula
Termini
Stations18
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemBay Area Rapid Transit
History
OpenedMay 10, 1997 (1997-05-10)
Technical
Line length35.7 mi (57.5 km)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
ElectrificationThird rail, 1 kV DC
Operating speed70 mph (110 km/h)[1]
Route map
Map Blue Line highlighted in blue
Legend
 Valley Link
proposed
Dublin/
Pleasanton
Parking
Iron Horse
Regional Trail
I-680 (1961).svg I-680
 West Dublin/​Pleasanton
Parking
San Leandro Hills
 Castro Valley
Parking
I-238 (1961).svgI-580 (1961).svg I-238 / I-580
to Berryessa/​North San José
 Bay Fair
Parking
transfer
 San Leandro
Parking
California 112.svgCalifornia 61.svg SR 112 / SR 61
to OAK Oakland International Airport
 enlarge… Coliseum
Amtrak Parking
 Fruitvale
Parking
 Lake Merritt
Parking
to Richmond
to Antioch, to Richmond
I-880 (1961).svg I-880
 West Oakland
Parking
Amtrak
Transbay Tube
Alameda County
San Francisco
I-80 (1961).svg
I-80
Bay Bridge
Embarcadero San Francisco Ferry Building
Montgomery Street
Union Square/
Market Street
 Powell Street
Civic Center/​UN Plaza
16th Street Mission
24th Street Mission
Glen Park Parking |
San Jose/
Glen Park
I-280 (1961).svg I-280
Balboa Park
San Jose and Geneva
San Francisco
San Mateo County
 Daly City
Parking
to SFO/Millbrae
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible
This diagram:

The Blue Line is a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line in the San Francisco Bay Area that runs between Dublin/Pleasanton station and Daly City station. It has 18 stations in Dublin, Pleasanton, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Oakland, San Francisco, and Daly City.

The Blue Line shares much of its track with other BART services. The eastern segment which is unique to it is located in the median of Interstate 580, as are its three unique stations of Castro Valley, West Dublin/Pleasanton, and Dublin/Pleasanton.

History

[edit]

Of BART's five primary rapid transit services, the Blue Line was the most recent to open. Service began when the Dublin/Pleasanton extension opened on May 10, 1997.[2] The West Dublin/​Pleasanton infill station was added to the line on February 19, 2011.[3]

SFO/Millbrae extension service

[edit]
September 2005 BART map showing only the Dublin/Pleasanton line operating south of Daly City

When the SFO/Millbrae extension opened on June 22, 2003, BART extended the Blue Line to SFO. BART truncated the Blue Line back to Daly City and rerouted the Yellow Line to San Francisco International Airport in its place on February 9, 2004. San Mateo County is not a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, so SamTrans funded the county's BART service. When the extension's lower-than-expected ridership caused SamTrans to accrue deficits, BART agreed to SamTrans' request to operate only this line south of Daly City effective September 12, 2005.

SamTrans and BART reached an agreement in February 2007 in which SamTrans would transfer control and financial responsibility of the SFO/Millbrae extension to BART, in return for BART receiving additional fixed funding from SamTrans and other sources.[4] BART has since again increased service south of Daly City, but this line now terminates at Daly City.

Blue Line's south-of-Daly City service
Date of change Service pattern
June 22, 2003 Daly City–SFO[5]
February 9, 2004 none[6]
September 12, 2005 Daly City–SFO/Millbrae[7]
January 1, 2008 Daly City–Millbrae (evenings/weekends)[8]
September 14, 2009 none[9]

2019–2022 changes

[edit]
MacArthur-bound train at 19th Street Oakland in February 2019

On February 11, 2019, the Blue Line began operating between MacArthur station and Dublin/Pleasanton station on Sundays. The change was to allow single-tracking in the Market Street subway during electrical work, with only the Yellow Line running through the Transbay Tube to serve San Francisco.[10]

Sunday service to San Francisco and Daly City resumed on February 16, 2020. From February 16, 2020 to September 13, 2020, and again from March 22, 2021 to August 1, 2021, trains terminated at Montgomery station during single-tracking work.[11][12] From September 14, 2020 to March 21, 2021, and again from August 2, 2021 onwards, trains terminate at 24th Street Mission during single-tracking work.[13][14]

Stations

[edit]
Station Jurisdiction County Opened Other BART lines
Dublin/​Pleasanton Dublin / Pleasanton Alameda May 10, 1997
West Dublin/​Pleasanton February 19, 2011
Castro Valley Castro Valley May 10, 1997
Bay Fair San Leandro September 11, 1972 Green Line
Orange Line
San Leandro
Coliseum Oakland Oakland Airport Connector
Green Line
Orange Line
Fruitvale Green Line
Orange Line
Lake Merritt
West Oakland September 16, 1974 Green Line
Red Line
Yellow Line
Embarcadero San Francisco May 27, 1976
Montgomery Street November 5, 1973
Powell Street
Civic Center/​UN Plaza
16th Street Mission
24th Street Mission
Glen Park
Balboa Park
Daly City Daly City San Mateo

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Blue Line (BART)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Blue Line is a rapid transit line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system serving the San Francisco Bay Area, operating between Dublin/Pleasanton station in eastern Alameda County and Daly City station in northern San Mateo County. It spans approximately 36 miles, connecting suburban communities in the Tri-Valley region, industrial and residential areas of Oakland, downtown San Francisco, and the Peninsula gateway, with trains crossing under San Francisco Bay via the 3.6-mile Transbay Tube. The line serves 19 stations and provides essential commuter service with significant daily ridership, facilitating travel for work, airport connections, and regional events. The route's core segments opened as part of BART's initial system in the early , with the East Bay portion from Fremont to Oakland International Airport/Oakland Coliseum beginning service on September 11, 1972, and the San Francisco leg from Embarcadero to Daly City commencing on November 5, 1973. The eastern extension to /Pleasanton, adding stations including Castro Valley and /Pleasanton, opened on May 10, 1997, as the first phase of BART's major expansion program to accommodate growing suburban demand; West /Pleasanton station opened later in 2011. In February 2022, BART restructured its operations into a simplified five-line model—including the Blue Line—to streamline scheduling and improve rider experience amid post-pandemic recovery, with the color scheme drawing from the system's original palette. Service on the Blue Line runs daily, with trains departing every 20 minutes throughout the day, operating from 5:00 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, and 8:00 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Notable features include seamless transfers to other BART lines at stations like 12th Street/Oakland City Center and Powell Street, connections to Oakland International Airport via the Coliseum shuttle, and integration with Muni and Caltrain at Daly City for Peninsula travel. The line supports BART's fleet of automated trains, which travel at speeds up to 80 mph on dedicated rights-of-way, contributing to reduced highway congestion in one of the nation's most transit-dependent regions.

Overview

Route Description

The Blue Line of the (BART) system runs from /Pleasanton station in eastern Alameda County to Daly City station in San Mateo County, providing direct service across the suburbs, Oakland, the San Francisco Bay crossing, downtown , and the city's southern neighborhoods. This route connects residential and commercial areas in the Tri-Valley region with urban centers, facilitating commutes to employment hubs in Oakland and while offering transfers to other BART lines and regional transit at key points. Starting at the eastern terminus of Dublin/Pleasanton, the line travels westward through suburban Alameda County, stopping at West Dublin/Pleasanton, Castro Valley (opened March 2023), Bay Fair, and San Leandro. These stations serve growing residential communities and connect to local bus routes, with the path following an elevated guideway along Interstate 580 before descending into Oakland. In Oakland, the route includes Coliseum (with shuttle connections to Oakland International Airport), Fruitvale, , 12th Street Oakland City Center—a central transfer hub in downtown—and West Oakland, passing through diverse neighborhoods and commercial districts. From West Oakland, the Blue Line enters the 3.6-mile , an underwater tunnel beneath the that links the to the . Emerging in San Francisco's Embarcadero district, it proceeds underground through the Financial District with stops at Embarcadero, , Powell Street, and Civic Center/UN Plaza, serving major office towers, government buildings, and shopping areas. The line then shifts southward along the median of and Geneva Avenue, stopping at 16th Street Mission and 24th Street Mission in the vibrant Mission District, followed by Glen Park, Balboa Park, and the western terminus at Daly City, where riders can transfer to the Red Line or Green Line for service. The full route spans shared trackage with the Green Line between Balboa Park and Bay Fair during peak hours, but operates as a distinct end-to-end service otherwise, with end-to-end travel times averaging 65 minutes. Stations along the line feature a mix of elevated, at-grade, and subway configurations, with improvements including elevators at most stops.
StationLocationKey Features
Dublin/PleasantonAlameda CountyEastern terminus; parking garage; bus connections
West Dublin/PleasantonAlameda CountyElevated; serves Tri-Valley commuters
Castro ValleyAlameda CountyPark-and-ride; local bus links; opened March 2023
Bay FairAlameda CountyTransfer to Green Line; shopping center adjacent
San LeandroAlameda CountyAt-grade; industrial area access
Coliseum/Oakland International AirportAlameda CountyAirport shuttle connection; sports venue proximity
FruitvaleAlameda CountyCultural district; community center
Alameda CountyLakeside views; urban park access
12th Street Oakland City CenterAlameda CountyDowntown transfer hub; multiple bus lines
West OaklandAlameda CountyNear waterfront; connections
EmbarcaderoSan FranciscoWaterfront; ferry terminal
Montgomery StreetSan FranciscoFinancial District core; high-rise offices
Powell StreetSan FranciscoShopping and theater district
Civic Center/UN PlazaSan Francisco;
16th Street MissionSan FranciscoMission District; cultural landmarks
24th Street MissionSan FranciscoLatino community hub; street markets
Glen ParkSan FranciscoResidential neighborhood; canyon views
Balboa ParkSan FranciscoElevated; BART maintenance facility nearby
Daly CitySan Mateo CountyWestern terminus; transfer to other lines

Service Characteristics

The Blue Line provides service between /Pleasanton station in eastern Alameda and Daly station in northern San Mateo , traversing approximately 36 miles through the Tri-Valley region, communities, urban Oakland, downtown San Francisco, and the San Francisco Peninsula. The route follows Interstate 580 eastward from the core system before joining shared trunk lines through Oakland and the subway to , then diverging southward along the Median Subway to terminate at Daly . Key stations include /Pleasanton (eastern terminus; parking garage; bus connections to at nearby Pleasanton station), Castro Valley and Bay Fair (serving suburban riders), Coliseum (transfer to Oakland International Airport via the automated guideway), 12th Street/Oakland Center (major downtown Oakland hub), Embarcadero ( Financial District access), 16th Street Mission (vibrant neighborhood stop), and Daly (connection to Muni and ). In total, the line serves 19 stations, with shared infrastructure in central sections enabling timed transfers to other lines like the Green Line at key points such as 16th Street Mission. Service operates daily with trains consisting of four to six cars, each holding up to 150 passengers at full capacity, emphasizing high-speed travel averaging 35-40 mph between stops on elevated and at-grade sections. Headways are every 20 minutes throughout the day and evening as of 2025, providing consistent access without peak-hour surges on this line, though frequencies align with adjacent services for 10-minute combined intervals to during daytime hours. Operating hours run from 5:00 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, and 8:00 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays, with all-night service unavailable but supported by bus bridges during maintenance disruptions. The line supports connectivity indirectly via Coliseum transfers and facilitates commuter flows from suburban origins to urban employment centers, contributing to BART's role in reducing regional congestion.

History

Development and Opening

The development of the route now known as the BART Blue Line originated in the mid-20th century as part of efforts to address growing transportation demands in the following . In 1951, the San Francisco Bay Area Commission was established to evaluate regional needs, culminating in the creation of the San Francisco Bay Area in 1957, initially encompassing five counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, , and San Mateo. A 1956 report by Parsons Brinckerhoff, De Leuw, and Howard Needles & Tammen recommended a phased rail system, with Phase I including a 123-mile network connected by a subaqueous tube across the bay, laying the groundwork for the Blue Line's alignment from through Oakland to Fremont. However, San Mateo County withdrew in due to concerns over costs and limited local benefits, followed by Marin's exit in May 1962, narrowing the district to three counties and focusing the core system on connecting to suburbs. On November 6, 1962, voters in the three counties approved a $792 million bond measure by a 61.2% margin to finance a 71.5-mile system with 33 stations, including the Transbay Tube estimated at $133 million, which was to be partly funded by toll bridge revenues. Route planning emphasized alignments along existing highways and railroad rights-of-way, with the Oakland-Fremont line following the Western Pacific tracks—subterranean south of Lake Merritt and aerial thereafter—to serve growing suburban areas like Fremont, secured through local advocacy. Construction officially began on October 24, 1964, with President Lyndon B. Johnson breaking ground on the 4.4-mile Diablo Test Track between Concord and Walnut Creek; subsequent milestones included the start of the Oakland subway in January 1966, sinking the first Transbay Tube sections in November 1966, completion of the 3.2-mile Berkeley Hills Tunnel in February 1967, and initiation of the 3.6-mile Market Street subway in San Francisco in July 1967. The Transbay Tube structure was finished in August 1969, and Market Street tunneling concluded in January 1971, despite cost overruns that escalated the total project to over $1.6 billion due to design changes like deeper stations and tunneling in urban areas. BART's opening occurred in four phases to manage construction completion and testing. The first , on , 1972, launched along the 28-mile Fremont-MacArthur segment in Oakland, serving 12 stations and marking the debut of the route's portion with speeds up to 80 mph and automated train control. This was extended on January 29, 1973, with the 11-mile Oakland-Richmond line adding eight stations, and on May 21, 1973, the 17-mile Concord line from Walnut Creek added nine more, bringing the operational network to 56 miles. The San Francisco from Montgomery to Daly City opened on November 3, 1973. The system's core completion came on September 16, 1974, with the opening of the 3.6-mile [Transbay Tube](/page/Transbay Tube), enabling through service from Fremont to Daly City and fully realizing the Blue Line's foundational corridor across the bay. Although line colors were not formally assigned until later system maps in the , this phased rollout established the Blue Line's path as a vital link between suburbs and 's downtown.

Tri-Valley Extension

The Blue Line's eastern extension to Dublin/Pleasanton added 11.5 miles and three new stations—West Dublin/Pleasanton, Castro Valley, and /Pleasanton—extending service from Fremont to serve the growing Tri-Valley suburbs. Planning began in the as part of BART's expansion program to address suburban demand and reduce highway congestion on Interstate 580. The project was funded through a combination of federal grants, state bonds, and regional measures, with construction starting in 1995 after environmental reviews and local agreements. The extension opened on May 10, 1997, increasing the Blue Line's reach to approximately 44 miles and boosting ridership in Alameda County's eastern communities. The Castro Valley station, providing access to the hills and local amenities, began operations as part of this extension. This phase marked the first major expansion of the original system and supported in the region, with ongoing discussions for further extensions to Livermore.

Schedule Changes 2019–2025

In response to infrastructure upgrades and the , implemented several schedule adjustments affecting the Blue Line (Dublin/Pleasanton–Daly City) from 2019 to 2025, primarily aimed at maintaining service reliability, optimizing frequencies, and improving transfers amid reduced ridership and construction needs. These changes often involved systemwide single tracking in , temporary route shortenings, and frequency reductions, with gradual recoveries post-2020 to align with ridership trends. In 2019, early-year changes focused on Transbay Tube retrofits and power system improvements, leading to later openings and single tracking. Starting February 11, BART delayed weekday openings to 5 a.m. (one hour later than usual), with Blue Line trains after 9 p.m. operating every 24 minutes instead of 20 due to single tracking. On Sundays, the Blue Line was limited to service between Dublin/Pleasanton and MacArthur, requiring transfers at 12th Street Oakland City Center or San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for Transbay riders, while maintaining 20-minute headways during single tracking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. These adjustments supported electrical upgrades without fully suspending service. The prompted significant reductions in 2020. On March 23, weekday service hours shortened to 5 a.m.–9 p.m., and weekend service to 8 a.m.–9 p.m., with Blue Line frequencies cut to every 30 minutes systemwide starting April 8. Single tracking in after 8 p.m. further impacted evenings. A September 14 adjustment extended Sunday Blue Line service to 24th Street Mission (previously terminating at Bay Fair), while adding three extra weekday commute trains between Pleasant Hill and Fremont to ease loads, though Blue Line-specific increases were limited. February 10 changes had Blue Line trains terminating at Montgomery or Daly City depending on time and single tracking, prioritizing core route reliability amid low ridership. Recovery efforts shaped 2021–2022 schedules. On March 22, 2021, Saturday service aligned with Sundays as a three-line operation (, Orange, ), with Blue Line trains ending at 24th Street Mission during single tracking for downtown access. August 2 marked a return to near-pre-pandemic levels, doubling weekday 15-minute frequencies and extending closing to Monday–Saturday, though Blue Line evening single tracking persisted. In 2022, February 14 extended Sunday hours to 8 a.m.– across lines, including Blue. The September 12 overhaul evened Blue Line headways with the Line through (reducing waits), added a 4:59 a.m. departure from , and improved Bay Fair transfers to Orange Line trains, ending some single tracking. These aimed for a consistent seven-day schedule at current frequencies. By 2023, BART's "reimagined" schedule emphasized nights and weekends. The February 13 update made minor weekday and weekend tweaks for better spacing. Starting September 11, Blue Line frequencies standardized to 20 minutes all hours—an increase from 30 minutes on nights/weekends but a peak-hour reduction from 15 to 20 minutes—aligning with Green Line for 10-minute service and eliminating some Bay Fair transfers. This reflected lower Blue Line weekday ridership, redirecting resources to high-demand periods. In 2024, changes remained incremental. January 15 shifted some Blue Line departure times by minutes for smoother operations. The August 12 adjustment reinstated timed Blue-to-Orange transfers at Bay Fair (eliminating 17-minute waits for Dublin–Richmond riders) and refined spacing to reduce crowding, with minor time shifts. For 2025, construction on a new train control system drove early changes. January 13 introduced minor departure shifts systemwide to accommodate upgrades increasing Transbay capacity to 30 trains per hour per direction, with no unique Blue Line impacts noted beyond general adjustments. August 11 focused on transfer enhancements, adding dwell time at Dublin/Pleasanton for better LAVTA Wheels bus connections (saving up to 17 minutes for East Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore riders to downtown San Francisco). Temporary disruptions, such as October single tracking affecting Red and Green lines, left Blue Line operational without changes. Overall, these evolutions balanced reliability with fiscal constraints, prioritizing even service over peak expansions.

Operations

Frequency and Patterns

The Blue Line operates with a consistent of approximately 20 minutes throughout most of the day on weekdays, from the first train departing /Pleasanton around 4:55 a.m. to the last arriving at Daly City around 12:54 a.m. During peak hours (roughly 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), service maintains this 20-minute interval, while midday periods (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) follow the same . In the evenings after 7:00 p.m., headways remain at 20 minutes until around 11:00 p.m., extending to 30 minutes for the final departures. On weekends, the Blue Line follows a similar 20-minute pattern, with service starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. on Sundays, ending around midnight both days. This frequency applies across morning, midday, and early evening hours, with minor extensions to 30 minutes for late-night service after 9:00 p.m. as part of 's reduced 3-line operation. These intervals were standardized in 2023 to eliminate longer 30-minute gaps on , improving reliability for riders connecting to other lines or regional transit. Service patterns on the Blue Line emphasize all-stops operation between /Pleasanton in the and Daly City in , without express segments, ensuring access to all 18 intermediate stations. Until 9:00 p.m. daily, the line integrates into BART's 5-line network, providing combined frequencies of about 10 minutes through the core alongside the and lines. After 9:00 p.m. and on select maintenance-impacted weekends, it shifts to 3-line service with the Orange and lines, maintaining the 20-minute per line for balanced late-night coverage. Minor timetable adjustments in August 2025 refined departure times for better transfers but did not alter these core frequencies or patterns.

Ridership and Performance

The Blue Line, operating between /Pleasanton and Daly City, contributes significantly to 's overall ridership recovery post-COVID-19, benefiting from system-wide trends in passenger volumes. In 2024, recorded 50,656,380 total passenger trips, marking a 5.3% increase from 2023, with average weekday ridership reaching 165,502. By September 2025, monthly ridership exceeded 5 million trips, reflecting a 10% year-over-year growth driven by enhanced safety measures and service reliability improvements. These gains align with broader patterns, including a 6.4% rise in total ridership during the third quarter of 2025 (January–March), with weekday averages at 169,709—surpassing the target of 164,038. To accommodate surging demand on the Blue Line, BART implemented service enhancements in late 2025, adding four 8-car trains during morning and afternoon peak hours starting September 29, expanding capacity amid 10% ridership growth in August 2025 compared to the prior year. This adjustment addresses crowding risks identified in long-term planning, where high-growth scenarios project potential peak-period loads exceeding thresholds on the Blue Line without service reordering or capacity upgrades, such as those from the Core Capacity Program aiming for 30 Transbay trains per hour. BART's performance metrics, applicable across lines including the Blue Line, show mixed results in reliability and . In 2025's third quarter, daily train on-time performance stood at 58.7% (below the 91% goal), while customer on-time arrivals reached 85% (below 94% but stable). Crowding remains a concern, with 16% of riders reporting standing due to lack of seats in 2024—rising to 26% during peaks—prompting train lengthening to improve space for passengers, luggage, and bicycles. Overall hit 73% in the 2024 survey, the highest in a decade, bolstered by on-time ratings of 5.30 on a 7-point scale.

Stations

East Bay Stations

The East Bay segment of the Blue Line spans approximately 25 miles through Alameda County, connecting urban Oakland with suburban and exurban communities in the Tri-Valley region. This portion of the route operates above ground for most of its length, utilizing elevated tracks and at-grade sections to serve industrial, residential, and commercial areas. Trains travel eastward from West Oakland through dense neighborhoods and then diverge southeastward toward Dublin/Pleasanton, providing vital links to employment centers, shopping districts, and regional bus networks. The segment features nine stations, each designed with in mind, including elevators and escalators at all locations; completed systemwide accessibility upgrades and Next Generation Fare Gates installation by September 2025. Environmental features, such as noise barriers and green spaces around stations, address urban impacts in this corridor.
Station NameLocationKey Features and ConnectionsYear Opened
West OaklandOaklandElevated station with 190 parking spaces; connects to AC Transit buses and Amtrak; serves West Oakland's historic district and port-area jobs.1974
Lake MerrittOaklandUnderground station near the lake and downtown; links to AC Transit lines 1, 12, and 72; popular for access to cultural venues like the Oakland Museum.1972
FruitvaleOaklandElevated station in a vibrant Latino community; major hub for AC Transit (routes 1R, 51B) and the Fruitvale Transit Village with retail and housing; site of annual Cinco de Mayo festival.1972
Coliseum/Oakland International AirportOaklandElevated transfer point to the automated Oakland Airport Connector (opened 2014); 448 parking spaces; serves sports events and airport passengers via seamless integration.1972
San LeandroSan LeandroAt-grade station with 1,280 parking spaces; connects to AC Transit (routes 1, 37, 39) and local BART shuttle; near industrial parks and the San Leandro Historical Railway Society.1972
Bay FairSan LeandroElevated branch point where trains split toward Fremont or continue to Dublin; 2,224 parking spaces (largest on the line); serves East Oakland and Castro Valley via AC Transit ties.1972
Castro ValleyCastro ValleyElevated station with 1,313 parking spaces; connects to Wheels bus route 96R and local shuttles; anchors the Castro Valley BART Plaza shopping center.1997
West Dublin/PleasantonDublin/Pleasanton borderElevated station along I-580 with 399 parking spaces; links to AC Transit 20 and Livermore Amador Valley Transit; near Stoneridge Shopping Center for retail access.2011
Dublin/PleasantonDublin/PleasantonTerminal station straddling the city line with 2,420 parking spaces; major hub for eBART diesel shuttle to Antioch extension and multiple AC Transit routes (e.g., 16, 58); supports growing tech and residential areas.1997
These stations contribute to reduced highway congestion on I-580 and I-880 by offering an alternative to driving across the Bay Bridge. improvements, including seismic retrofits completed in , ensure resilience against earthquakes common in the region. Community partnerships have enhanced station amenities, such as art installations at Fruitvale and bike facilities at Bay Fair, promoting .

San Francisco and Peninsula Stations

The Blue Line enters from the via the , an underwater tunnel beneath the , providing direct access to the city's core. The stations in are primarily underground along Market Street, forming part of the system's original trunk line that facilitates connectivity to major employment centers, government buildings, and cultural hubs. These stations, with Embarcadero opening in 1976 and the others in 1973 as part of BART's initial extension, feature modern escalators and elevators for and integrate with the (Muni) system for broader local transit options; BART completed systemwide upgrades and Next Generation Fare Gates installation by September 2025. From the Embarcadero station in the Financial District, the line proceeds westward through downtown, serving key transfer points before ascending to surface level in the city's residential and multicultural neighborhoods. The Embarcadero station, which opened later in 1976 to extend service to the waterfront, connects to Muni , buses, and the historic California Street Cable Car, supporting commuters to the Ferry Building and Salesforce Transit Center. Montgomery Street station, a major hub for financial services, offers transfers to and is located near high-rise offices and the . Powell Street station provides access to Union Square shopping district and Muni lines, while Civic Center/UN Plaza station links to federal buildings, City Hall, and multiple Muni routes, emphasizing its role in civic and international functions. Further south, the 16th Street Mission and 24th Street Mission stations serve the vibrant Mission District, with connections to Muni buses and ; the latter is notable for its proximity to cultural landmarks like the Mission Dolores Basilica and Latino community resources. Glen Park station, transitioning to an open-cut design, connects to Muni and local buses near residential areas and parks. Balboa Park station, the last in , offers parking for 694 vehicles and Muni transfers, accommodating suburban commuters. The Blue Line terminates at Daly City station in San Mateo County, marking the gateway to the . Opened in 1973, this above-ground station provides parking for 2,025 cars, the largest in the system, and connects to Muni and buses, facilitating onward travel to and coastal areas. It serves as a transfer point for riders heading to Colma or South San Francisco via other lines, though the Blue Line itself does not extend further south.
StationLocationOpening DateKey ConnectionsNotable Features
EmbarcaderoFinancial District, near Ferry BuildingMay 27, 1976 (J, K, L, M, , T), buses, California Street Cable CarUnderground; bike station; no parking; near waterfront offices and transit center.
Financial DistrictNovember 5, 1973 (J, K, L, M, , T), busesDeep underground; major business hub; accessible via two elevators.
Powell StreetUnion Square/TenderloinNovember 5, 1973 (J, K, L, M, , T), F Market streetcar, buses, Powell Street Cable CarShopping district access; bike racks; no parking.
/UN PlazaNovember 5, 1973 (/Muni transfer), buses, UN Plaza eventsNear City Hall and museums; bike racks; installations.
16th Street MissionMission DistrictNovember 5, 1973 (/Muni island platform), busesMulticultural neighborhood; accessible; connects to local eateries and arts scene.
24th Street MissionMission DistrictNovember 5, 1973Muni busesVibrant Latino community; near Balmy Alley murals; bike racks.
Glen ParkGlen Park neighborhoodNovember 5, 1973Muni buses (e.g., 44 )Open-cut structure; residential access; parking limited nearby.
Balboa ParkIngleside/ExcelsiorNovember 5, 1973 (, /Muni transfer), buses694 parking spaces; surface station; serves outer neighborhoods.
Daly CityDaly City (San Mateo County)November 5, 1973Muni buses, 2,025 parking spaces; above-ground; largest parking in system; Peninsula gateway.

References

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  2. https://www.bart.gov/system-map
  3. https://www.bart.gov/about/reports/ridership
  4. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/bart-historical-timeline.pdf
  5. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/PosterTimeline_v2.pdf
  6. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2011/news20110218
  7. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220209-1
  8. https://www.bart.gov/schedules
  9. https://www.bart.gov/stations/daly
  10. https://www.bart.gov/about/history/facts
  11. https://www.bart.gov/stations
  12. https://www.bart.gov/schedules/pdfs
  13. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230427
  14. https://www.bart.gov/about/history
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  25. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2023/news20230208
  26. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240104
  27. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20240722
  28. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20241216-0
  29. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20250731-0
  30. https://www.facebook.com/bartsf/posts/this-sunday-until-1030am-there-will-be-no-red-or-green-line-service-requiring-so/1247492070749760/
  31. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/August%2011%2C%202025%20%20WDAY%20Service%20for%20Dublin_Pleasanton%20to%20Daly%20City%20%28Blue%29%20Line.pdf
  32. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20251014-0
  33. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/QPR_Report%20FY25%20Q3%20-%20Final_062625v4.pdf
  34. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20250929
  35. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/2023%20Sys%20Metro%202030%20Briefing%20Book.pdf
  36. https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/CS2024_Report_050225.pdf
  37. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20250227
  38. https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2025/news20250926
  39. https://www.bart.gov/stations/cols
  40. https://www.bart.gov/stations/sanl
  41. https://www.bart.gov/stations/bayf
  42. https://www.bart.gov/stations/wdub
  43. https://www.bart.gov/stations/dubl
  44. https://www.bart.gov/about/projects/eqs/retrofit
  45. https://www.bart.gov/stations/embr
  46. https://www.bart.gov/stations/powl
  47. https://www.bart.gov/stations/civc
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