Bay Area Rapid Transit is scheduled Thursday to lay out what could happen if voters reject a major funding measure proposed for the November ballot. If a new funding source is not approved to address a projected $376 million deficit by the 2027 fiscal year, BART may have to close 10 stations. BAR T staff will present the reduction plans at a Thursday workshop aimed at addressing the budget deficit. “It basically puts the BART board on the record to say if a new funding source is not identified, these are the cuts that would be required to fill that deficit,” BART spokesperson Chris Filippi said. “So it makes it very clear to the public what the stakes are in terms of BART’s future if new funding is not identified.” A proposed ballot measure authored by local nonprofit group Transform would create a half-cent sales tax in five Bay Area counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara. The measure would also create a one-cent tax in San Francisco. The funding from the measure would help pay for BART and other major transit agencies for 14 years. Investigative Unit Jan 22 BART review finds ‘no smoking gun' in recent mishaps BART Jan 29 BART reports sizeable decrease in crime on its system Transportation Jan 20 BART announces new Uber partnership, app integration The draft plan calls for up to 10 stations closing in an initial phase, with even deeper cuts possible later. BART officials said service reductions alone cannot solve the deficit because of the system’s high fixed costs. Riders said the impact of any cuts to service would be immediate. “I planned my life around having a BART station,” commuter Johnathan Davis said. “So it’s a pretty big deal.” There will be no vote at Thursday’s workshop. BART staff is expected to return later this month to vote on a formal plan that would take effect if voters reject new funding in November. ...read more read less