Rail Access into the Airport Celebrates One Year with a Milestone
Oakland, CA – November 23, 2015: The Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) celebrated the first year of operation at the Oakland International Airport BART Station with the one millionth rider making the BART to OAK journey this past weekend.
Compared with the AirBART bus service that was replaced in November 2014, the new system has seen a 36% increase in ridership in its first year. The artful-looking glass-walled Oakland International Airport Station lets riders off just steps away from both Terminal 1 and 2 at OAK. Trains depart the airport station from early morning until just before midnight, and as frequently as every 5 minutes during BART’s peak period of service between 8AM and 8PM.
Both partners are pleased to celebrate this milestone of the collaboration, along with the ability to offer the service to holiday travelers. “The BART to OAK line is clean, modern and fantastically convenient for riders,” said BART spokesperson and Oakland resident Taylor Huckaby. “I’m sure tens of thousands of air travelers will be gearing up to use it over the next few weeks.”
The airport has enjoyed substantial passenger traffic growth each month over the last 24 consecutive months. The added travel convenience of a BART station at the airport and nine new nonstop destinations has helped to boost already strong numbers. In October, the airport saw an 11% increase in air passenger traffic, and more growth is expected through November.
As preparations continue for the busy Thanksgiving holiday, many are very excited to see the season align with the one millionth passenger on the BART to OAK system. BART, which monitors ridership on the system, reports that the millionth rider traveled over this past weekend.
“The success of the BART to OAK partnership has been a highlight to our successes over the last year at the airport. Our customers have appreciated the convenience of a rail connection, and that is being reflected in the strong numbers we’re experiencing,” says Acting Director of Aviation, Kristi McKenney. “Celebrating one million riders on BART to OAK is a great way to commemorate the first anniversary of the service, welcome the busy holiday travel season, and encourage our customers to continue to take advantage of the conveniences of flying from Oakland.”
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