Petrelis Files

The Thursday, September 22 meeting of the BART board of directors, that began as usual at 9 am on a weekday, conflicted with a medical appointment. I wasn't there but have looked at the video of it and watched how public comment was called, but there wasn't a single BART rider there or anyone from the general public.

Of the few individuals in the public seating area of the BART board room, they are analysts and managers of the transit system. Screen grab is from the video.

All the empty seats and lack of attendance by the public is a sorry indictment of how the current board is not meeting the needs of riders. I am convinced that if BART held meetings in the late afternoon or early evening, they'd better engage those of us who use BART.

If elected to the board, I promise to work hard to change this situation.