Our Work

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 represents approximately 900 front-line workers of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. These key positions include train operators, station agents, transportation clerks, transportation secretaries, foreworkers, power support controllers, communication specialists and Employee Development Specialists. Thanks to their work, BART was named the #1 transit system in the U.S. by the American Public Transportation Association in 2004 in the category of providing thirty million passenger trips or more. We’re proud to be ATU!

Train Operators

BART train operators are “the eyes” of the BART system. In the Transbay tube, for example, the train operator is the one person responsible for the safety of an entire 7-10 car train. They are the first line of service and safety in the event of on-track emergencies, trained to deal with everything from disabled trains to heart attacks.

What we do:

• Observe and detect hazards on the tracks, in stations or platforms, or on the train itself; reports hazards to Operations Control Center via radio and take corrective action
• Make announcements to passengers regarding station arrivals, transfer points, delays and emergencies, and answer passenger questions
• Take prescribed action such as evacuating passengers, administering first aid, and using fire suppressing equipment during emergencies
• Report basic equipment malfunctions of a mechanical or electrical nature to Operations Control Center; work with foreworkers and technicians to isolate reported problems
• Monitor console and radio communications to ensure that vehicles are operating within established guidelines
• Observe and detect problems with passengers entering and exiting trains and take corrective action
• Assist disabled and impaired passengers in a helpful and tactful manner
• In yards, on test tracks, turntables and wash facilities, operate console to move trains as directed
• Maintain logs of work activities and complete forms to report unusual circumstances and action taken
• Use a variety of communications equipment in course of everyday and emergency activities, including public address system, two-way radios and emergency telephones
• Monitor and learn to apply changes in operating and emergency procedures
• Undergo recertification by the state PUC every two years with five-day/40 hours of safety and service training

Foreworkers

Foreworkers are stationed at the four BART rail yards (Daly City, Hayward, Richmond, Concord) and direct and review the work of a shift of rail and station operations staff (including station agents) in the daily performance of their work. Foreworkers also coordinate the assignments of operations staff during an assigned shift and work in the control towers at the four yards.

What we do:

• Ensure that trains are built up and broken down according to a pre-established schedule for optimal revenue service
• Ensure that train operators and station agents maintain schedules and are provided with appropriate break time as required by union contracts
• Under the direction of a senior foreworker or operations supervisor, visually monitor and control on-rail vehicle movement within a specific yard area; ensure that on rail vehicle movement within yard areas meets service requirements and is performed within District safety rules and regulations
• Assist in coordinating on site or remote activities during emergency or unusual incident situations
• Resolve minor disputes; conduct fact finding investigations and inform supervisors of disciplinary problems requiring action
• Read and interpret operating procedures and ensure that train operators are following such procedures
• Maintain logs and records and prepare reports of work performed
• Serve as a necessary presence on the lines including tending to the needs of individual stations
• Aid in crowd control on the platforms during special events

Station Agents

Station Agents are on the front lines of ensuring safety and service for BART riders.

What we do:

• Assist with special problems and services such as handicapped access, bicycle permits, lost tickets, lost and found items and evacuation of BART station areas.
• Respond to fires, bomb threats, suicides, medical emergencies, power outages, service delays (getting people onto busses when a ‘bus bridge’ is required), help locate lost children or elders, help people who become trapped in elevators, retrieve items dropped on trackways, customers on the trackway, needles/syringes found in station, etc.
• Assist blind and disabled riders to effectively use large stations with multiple entrances and exits.
• Help people who have damaged tickets or Easy Rider passes, who have purchased the wrong tickets – either too much money, or with fare for several people on one ticket, or who have bought BART Plus instead of a regular BART ticket
• Help people validate parking with the parking control machines
• Give directions both in the BART system, on Muni and bus lines, and information on the area near the station
• Watch for fare evaders and deal with people who are drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Help people who are sick or having medical issues
• Control conditions during overcrowding
• Open and close stations, which involves safety and security checks, equipment checks and dealing with the homeless people who sleep against the grills (opening the station involves 22 tasks; closing, 18 tasks)
• Monitor fare and transfer machines; perform fingertip maintenance on far and transfer machines and empty ticket bins and refill transfer supplies to ensure continued operation
• Monitor gates, escalators, elevators and other equipment
• Complete reports on unusual circumstances and actions, including accidents, emergencies, crimes, troublesome equipment, maintenance requests and safety hazards
• Undergo recertification by the state PUC every two years with five-day/40 hours of safety and service training

Power and Support Controllers

These essential personnel monitor and control the traction power system of the BART network and support facilities system during both revenue and non-revenue hours.

What we do:

• Engergize or de-energize the traction power system
• Monitor the train control display board and radio operations to determine the status of revenue operations, the traction power system and facilities support system
• Monitor and control the status of the 1000 VDC distribution system
• Redistribute traction power as required to ensure adequacy of supply; change the status of the traction power system for planned or unscheduled maintenance
• Monitor and control fans, pumps, valves, sumps, dampers, alarms and similar electrical and electro mechanical equipment found in District facilities
• Monitor D.T.S., train control system and fire warning devices for the system and takes specified action in the event of possible emergencies
  Coordinate activities with those of other operations, police and maintenance staff to minimize service interruptions, ensure passenger and employee safety and avoids equipment damage
• Coordinate and control access to all traction power, support facilities equipment, communications and train control facilities
  Read, interpret and apply operating procedures in individual situations
• Maintain logs and records of work performed, provide training to others as required, make station public address announcements as required
• Perform Operations Control Center-related administrative support functions as needed.

Communications Specialist

This frontline staff communicates information regarding train and station operations to staff, passengers and the news media; monitors train movements and communications; acts as liaison between central control and other District departments and performs related duties as assigned.

What we do:

• Monitor the train control display board and radio communications to determine revenue operations status, including train movements, power and equipment status and station activities
• Make timely updated public address announcements concerning train or station operations, delays, incidents, train location, lost items, safety, marketing, and public service concerns
• Communicate information to various operations staff concerning passenger flow, incidents, etc. via telephone and intercom systems
• Track “Ticket Validation Problems” and inform supervisors of the need for technical support and station staffing; inform station agents of the fare collection problems; inform station operations about maintenance work areas impacting train service
• Provide backup to the train controller by making the police calls and relay information to operations staff and police staff regarding incidents, possible criminal activities, etc.
• Prepare audio and text information concerning elevator updates and train service and ensure the District complies with public information requests in the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Coordinate and establish bus bridges with other transit agencies in the event of an emergency
• Act as the primary District liaison with the news media to provide information on revenue service and incidents
• Communicate passenger information to Station Agents regarding lost and found items or unusual activities; read, interpret and apply District operating procedures in individual situations; maintain logs and records of work performed
• Perform Operations Control Center-related administrative support functions as needed.

Transportation Administration Specialist

Employee Development Specialist

These ATU members are essential to our pledge of “safety and service,” responsible for developing and conducting training programs in both general employee development and specific skills fields. They also conduct regulatory and non-regulatory certification and re-certification training as required for District employees, prepare instructional materials, and deliver classroom and hands on instruction to District employees in a variety of skill areas essential to the day-to-day operation of BART.

What we do:

• Research, analyze and identify specific training needs to support District activities and further District goals; conduct research, prepare plans and programs to meet these needs or to solve specific operational problems
• Select appropriate methodology, develops lesson plans, instructional materials and student handouts; schedule and coordinate training programs and activities
• Prepare classroom environment; provide classroom and performance-based field training using a variety of instructional techniques
• Develop and administer oral, written and practical tests to assess the effectiveness of training
• Conduct and document specific District skills certification programs; assist in the development of various pre employment tests in the area of specialty; acts as subject matter expert in area of specialty.
• Research and identify external training and sources and materials and evaluate their applicability to District needs
• Prepare scope of services for outside training assistance, recommend the selection of consultants or vendors, and monitor and evaluate performance
• Work with District staff to solve a variety of technical problems in the operations and maintenance areas.
• Write technical materials and create drawings or schematics to support text
• Work closely with media and documentation staff to produce audio visual materials
• Communicate regularly with trainees, other instructors and affected department personnel to achieve training goals
• Assist non trainers in preparing presentations in specific program areas; administer educational assistance and other training related programs
• Maintain technical knowledge in areas taught
• Assist in developing and monitoring specific training program budgets
• Maintain records and prepares reports of work performed
• Deliver training programs for specialized on-rail maintenance equipment such as automated multifunctional Switch and Production Tamper/liners, Ballast Regulators, Production Rail Grinders, Locomotives and Rail Car equipment, Rubber Tire Road to Rail Vehicles, Light/Heavy duty type Trucks, Loaders and Mobile cranes
• Instruct and administer the State of California’s Third Party employer Testing Program for Commercial Driver License