The State - News from April 1, 1985

Bay Area Rapid Transit officials said the surging economy is causing thousands of new passengers to flood already overcrowded BART trains. BART General Manager C. Keith Bernard said an average of 216,000 passengers have ridden BART on weekdays during the last four weeks, a 2.6% increase over ridership in the second half of 1984. “The 1985 figures are remarkable because usually we get a slight dip after the first of the year,” Bernard said. The officials said “off-peak” ridership has surged 20% during the last two years, compared with a 14.4% increase in rush-hour passengers.