Update: BART Computers Fixed, Service Resuming

Update:

BART service is resuming this morning after computer problems prevented trains from picking up any passengers for the first few hours of the morning commute, agency officials said. Service was resuming at about half-capacity as of 7:15 a.m. with full service expected by 8:15 a.m., BART spokesman Jim Allison said.

Systemwide delays began shortly after midnight because the agency's computer systems were not communicating properly with track switches, Allison said. Many commuters were forced to drive instead, snarling traffic on highways throughout the Bay Area this morning.


Earlier story, 5 a.m.:

BART trains are not running on schedule this morning due to a major systemwide delay caused by a technical problem, according to a BART spokesman.

At about 4:05 a.m. BART officials said they are working to get BART trains running by 6 a.m., but advise commuters to arrange alternate transportation.

BART spokesman Jim Allison said the major delays began shortly after midnight and resulted in between 500 and 1,000 passengers waiting onboard 19 non-moving trains early this morning. All passengers on the final Thursday night trains reached their destinations this morning, Allison said.

Allison described the technical problem as BART computer systems in central control not communicating properly with the track switches.

"Train operators and track crews are instead manually cranking switches into position to route the trains properly," Allison said.

Computer technicians have been working to restore normal operations, Allison said.

BART crews did not begin track maintenance as scheduled, causing residual delays to be likely throughout the morning commute, according to Allison.

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