The BART Board of Directors unanimously appointed Robert (“Bob”) M. Powers as BART’s tenth General Manager on July 25, 2019. As General Manager, Powers manages an operating budget of $1 billion, oversees $1.4 billion in capital projects, and leads an agency with 4,000 employees that keeps the San Francisco Bay Area moving.
Powers helps to carry out BART’s mission to provide safe, reliable, clean, quality transit service while putting the riders first and prioritizing the safety of all. He is leading the agency through historic infrastructure re-investment while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on improving the customer experience and advancing equity throughout the organization.
Powers, a licensed Professional Engineer, has more than 20 years of experience in the public transportation industry overseeing major infrastructure projects and transportation programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Powers began his career at BART in 2012 as the Assistant General Manager of Planning, Development and Construction where he was responsible for multi-million-dollar capital projects, including the expansion of BART service into Antioch and South Fremont, and all planning efforts to modernize stations and develop land near stations to help solve the Bay Area’s housing crisis and bring jobs closer to where people live.
In 2017, Powers became the Deputy General Manager providing strategic leadership and direction in support of the General Manager and the management of all District activities. He was responsible for overseeing the immediate implementation of Measure RR, a $3.5 billion infrastructure bond approved by voters.
Prior to joining BART, Powers served as the Deputy Director, and Director of Major Projects for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), where he oversaw major projects, traffic management, policy and planning, capital projects and roadway structure divisions. He also served as the Division Chief of Transportation Engineering and Construction Division, as well as the Conduits Division, for the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT).
Powers is currently on the Board of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Executive Board of the Bay Area Council and serves as Chair of the Clipper Executive Board (CEB).
To contact the General Manager please write or call:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Bob Powers, General Manager
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)
P.O. Box 12688
Oakland, CA 94604-2688
For customer service issues BART's customer services team is also available.