<p>I’m currently a sophomore and I haven’t used the BART system yet! I plan to use it regularly next semester to visit my folks and I was wondering if anyone could give general tips concerning transfers and how to use the BART transit for beginners.</p>
<p>Thanks for any help.</p>
<p>Here’s the website <a href=“http://www.bart.gov/index.asp[/url]”>http://www.bart.gov/index.asp</a></p>
<p>First, look at the fares chart. Find where you are, and where you are going. </p>
<p>There are only four tracks (I think?) so you will probably only have to transfer one time.</p>
<p>Buy a ticket at the ticket machine (enough for round trip if you need it)
To go through the gate with the orange things, you insert your ticket, grab it when it pops up the top (then the gate opens), and then go through the gate.</p>
<p>Look at the map, find where you are and where you are going.<br>
Look for a train (colored lines) that goes directly from where you are to where you are going (then you won’t have to transfer)</p>
<p>Be prepared to shell out some cash. From the BART station nearest where I live to Berkeley, it costs $3.60. If only more people utilized the BART system, they wouldn’t have to hike up the fare so often. Yes, so my point is that it can be kind of pricey.</p>
<p>There are five destinations: Richmond, Fremont, Pittsburg/Bay point, SFO, and Dublin/Pleasanton.</p>
<p>The platform facing toward the university is the one that heads to Richmond. The other platform goes to SF and Fremont, with 2 trains going to SFO for every going to Fremont. If you want to go to Pittsburg, board either the SF or Fremont train and transfer at MacArthur, and cross the platform by taking the stairs down, then go up to the second platform. If you want to go to Pleasanton, board the Fremont train and transfer at either 12th street Oakland or Bay Fair.</p>
<p>And also, there aren’t that many bad people on BART because each train has cameras. HOWEVER, there are a lot of scams. Every day, people board the train and act like they’re sick and ask for money. The most notorious one will say she has multiple sclerosis and needs to go to the hospital. Do not give anyone any money for any reason. That’s very important.</p>
<p>That’s about all you need to know.</p>
<p>i only paid two bucks to go from Oakland Airport to Berkeley station (well…4 if you count the two dollars for the bus ride, lol)…why are u paying $3.60 though for just BART? oo, do u maybe have to buy a new ticket when transferring trains?</p>
<p>The closet BART station is Dublin/Pleasanton, which is also the end of the line (I believe)…so a one way to downtown Berkeley is kinda steep. I don’t know why it’s 3.60…but it just is. </p>
<p>Edit: oh yes, you transfer at Bay Fair.</p>
<p>you guys are complaining about 3.60, i have to pay 8 bucks to get into NYC (25 minutes away)</p>
<p>I found the BART system to be extremely efficient and not too expensive considering there isn’t much loss of time (stops are quick, transfers are easy and you never have to wait too long for a train.) </p>
<p>I bought a 20$ ticket and just kept using it. I don’t know if they expire, though, anyone know? </p>
<p>-A</p>
<p>Haha, I’ve seen the multiple sclerosis lady before and kind of felt bad ignoring her.</p>