Bart Reviews

I was hired on as a Train Controller. It was a nightmare. These guys will give you no training. All of their training materials are completely out of date. When you hit the console, they expect you to perform as if you're a pro. If you don't, they will make every excuse possible to wash you out. This is probabaly one of their highest paying jobs in their Transportation Dept., excluding management. It's interesting how they take "external" candidates for this job -- the reason is being their Internal employees no better than to apply for this position. They know it's a dead end and they'll push you out. Statistically, only about 1 out of 15 will be kept. Their explanation? The other 14 wasn't good enough. You got to be kidding right? You've had folks from ATC, Law Enforcement, other Control Centers, who did fine at their other jobs! They want to make it seem that BART is so unique that only the best of the best can make it. These guys need to wake up to reality. There are many other transit agencies out that operate ATO and they seem to have no problem training their folks. They need to stop pretending that their work is so unique just to justify their jobs. These guys are bad news. Do not apply here.

Pretty much everything! This review is strictly for the Train Controller position within the Operations Control Center (OCC). Did you just see an opening for this job? Note, they're always hiring here! I'll tell you why. First, save yourself some time and trouble and don't bother putting in for this position. As statistics would show, your chances of getting "certified" and getting through their nearly "non-existent" training is very slim. It's about 1 out of 15 trainees. There are serious concerns about the OCC and their ability to train their own people. You will be ridiculed, harassed, and terrorized on an hourly basis! If you make a peep about it, you're going to get blacklisted and they will force you out! It may sound extreme, but its pretty unbelievable until you get to experience it for yourself. This has got to be the worst job in the world in terms of personal health and self-preservation. Attracted by the $95k starting salary? Forget it! Chances are, if you're qualified for this position, you would be more than qualified for any other comparably paying job out there in this field. Statistics will show that in the past 5-years they've hired 15 people. Out of the 15, they've only decided to certify 1. The other 14, has left, some on their own terms, and have found other more lucrative positions at other places. So forget about this place. You deserve better. Save yourself the time and trouble.