Let's Get to Know BART's "Fleet of the Future" Project

Wednesday, June 5, 2013, by Curbed Staff

The bright and shiny interior of BART's Fleet of the Future features colored-coded seats indicating priority seating. [All images courtesy of BART]
BART has revealed the latest developments and renderings of its "Fleet of the Future" Project, which will replace nearly 700 outdated rail cars that, as BART's website humorously points out, were built back when "Atari was releasing its seminal video game Pong." So, what does the Future look like? Picture 45% more cars featuring LCD screens that display system maps and "other helpful information," more standing room, bike racks, and (oh la la!) wipeable seats.

Renderings and details this way. >>

The new Fleet is in currently in design and engineering phase under the direction of Bombardier Transit Corporation, which anticipates that the first test cars will hit the tracks in 2015 and launch into service in 2017. In the meantime there's a slew of prototype displays and feedback sessions on the calendar, so stay tuned. - Laura Tepper

New train cars feature a more open floor plan with two types of seating areas and more standing room.
Rather than creating dedicated bike cars, the Fleet of the Future will have bike racks on every car.
Redesigned vinyl seats feature "optimal seat dimensions" based on user feedback surveys.
One end of each car will have a wheelchair accessible area so that 20 wheelchair passengers can be accommodated per train.
LCD screens by each set of doors show a dynamic system map alongside other "interesting" and "useful" announcements.
There will be digital signage on the outside too.
A full six sets of doors (two more than the old cars have) will utilize “micro-plug door technology” make for a quieter and better climate-controlled interior.
An aggressive delivery timeline calls for the first cars coming into service in 2017.