The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has signed a contract with IBM to manage the systems that support trains, stations, equipment and operations. The use of the new software is expected to contribute to more efficient operations, improved service and enhanced passenger safety.

Travelling by the San Francisco BART provides an alternative to driving thus contributing to the number of cars on the road. With more than 346,000 passengers riding every day, the rail system connects San Francisco to cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. To continue to serve the public's growing transportation needs, BART is undergoing a vast modernisation that includes station overhauls, new rail cars, and route extensions.

Randall Franklin, Program Director, Business Advancement Program, Bay Area Rapid Transit commented: "There are thousands of people and parts responsible for making sure that our trains arrive on time and deliver our passengers safely to their destinations." He continued "Because we are managing an aging fleet while planning for the future, the efficiency of BART requires visibility across all of our assets to provide safe and uninterrupted railway services to our customers."

See the video of the IBM rail overhaul.