**Major BART Delays Hit San Francisco Due to Widespread Power Failure**
San Francisco commuters faced major disruptions on Thursday morning as service on Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was severely delayed due to power issues. The outage brought delay times of up to 45 minutes, stranding thousands of morning commuters and causing frustration across the region.
BART officials reported that at approximately 6:30 a.m., a power equipment failure affected multiple lines. Trains running through San Francisco, including service to the East Bay and Millbrae, were most impacted. The agency issued alerts through social media and its website, warning riders to expect significant wait times.
By mid-morning, BART engineers were working to fix the issue. Officials explained that a substation experienced a malfunction, disrupting electrical signals along major sections of track. Although some limited service was restored around 10:00 a.m., full service remained suspended in certain areas into the early afternoon.
The power problems also affected BART’s ability to operate automatic train controls, leading to stricter manual supervision. “For everyone’s safety, we’re moving trains slower, and that’s adding to delays,” a BART spokesperson said.
Local businesses also suffered from the delays, especially those relying on morning office workers and tourists. Some downtown retailers reported a drop in early foot traffic. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft saw a spike in demand, with prices surging as stranded commuters looked for alternatives.
This latest incident adds to concerns over BART’s aging infrastructure. The transit agency has faced criticism in recent years over maintenance backlogs and outdated equipment. In response, BART has requested nearly $2 billion in state infrastructure funding to modernize its system and avoid future breakdowns.
Transit advocates are calling for urgent investment to restore public confidence in BART’s reliability. “People need consistent and safe service to get to work, school, and home,” said a spokesperson for the San Francisco Transit Riders group.
As of late Thursday afternoon, BART announced that full service had been restored, but warned there could still be residual delays through the evening commute. Passengers are advised to check the BART website and Twitter for updates before heading out.
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