EL CERRITO, CA — Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, presented a $500,000 check for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station that will improve public safety, reduce costs, and increase services by cutting BART’s electricity use by approximately 50 percent. The check was presented at a recent press conference with local leaders, including BART Board Member Barnali Ghosh, and local Contra Costa County and transit leaders. 

“For every nickel BART saves on energy, there’s a faster commute, more trains, a safer community, and a cleaner environment,” said Rep. Garamendi. “That’s why I’m proud to have secured this critical funding to upgrade several BART stations throughout my district. Public transportation is an essential tool when it comes to fighting the climate crisis, lowering costs, and improving society, and I’m proud to have worked alongside local leaders, BART, and community stakeholders to secure these investments for Contra Costa County.” 

The $500,000 will be used for BART’s Station LED Lighting Program to upgrade older fluorescent fixtures to energy-efficient LED lighting across El Cerrito Plaza, Richmond, and Pittsburg/Bay Point BART stations improving visibility, enhancing public safety, and reducing operational costs. 

This funding is part of over $16 million that Congressman Garamendi secured for the district. These federal investments will strengthen critical infrastructure, improve public safety, and support communities throughout Solano and Contra Costa Counties. 

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