From:
To:Michelle Estabillo
Cc:Ken Gonzalez; Carrie Slaughter; Helen Fisicaro; Joanne Del Rosario; Thomas Walsh Subject:Public Comment on Agenda Item 8, New Fare Gates at Colma BART Station Date:Saturday, April 19, 2025 8:11:08 PM
Good evening Michelle,
I can’t make the upcoming council meting but would like to submit my comment on Agenda Item 8, New Fare Gates at Colma BART Station:
Good evening Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council and staff,
One of the longstanding reasons San Mateo County and its cities and towns have not contributed financially to BART is the lack of meaningful representation or input. BART makes decisions with little to no engagement from local jurisdictions, and now it’s coming to those very communities asking for funding—for fare evasion gates.
Will these gates help reduce fare evasion, vandalism, and potentially crime in and around the Colma station? Possibly. Could they increase revenue for BART? Maybe. But it's a stretch to suggest that anyone intent on committing crimes in Colma is going to pay a fare first.
BART claims it will now collaborate with cities by enhancing police presence and improving station maintenance. I spent countless hours on this very council requesting both at the South San Francisco station—those requests went nowhere. Now, BART promises to cooperate? Furthermore, as your staff report correctly notes, the Colma BART station is not even within Colma’s jurisdiction. Despite this, County Manager Mike Calagy appears to have requested that Colma begin negotiations with the County regarding this matter.
I urge the Town Council to send a strong, unequivocal message to Mr. Calagy: The Town of Colma does not take directives from the County of San Mateo. We govern on behalf of our residents, not at the behest of BART or the County.
Thank you for your continued leadership.
John Goodwin