Home Contra Costa County Sen. Glazer Blasts New Radio Ads by BART Calling it “Outrageous”

Sen. Glazer Blasts New Radio Ads by BART Calling it “Outrageous”

by ECT
BART’s expenditures on commercials another example of poor judgment

Sacramento, CA – Calling BART’S spending of thousands of dollars on a public relations advertising campaign this week “outrageous,” State Senator Steve Glazer said that BART has once again shown why it can’t be trusted with its stewardship of public tax dollars.

“BART claims it is an impoverished transit agency with old trains, tracks and technology, yet they are spending thousands of dollars on PR puffery,” Glazer said. “It is another example of misplaced priorities that is eroding the public’s trust in their leadership and judgment.

“The best way to burnish BART’s image is for them to negotiate fiscally sound contracts with their workers and managers that takes into account their deep financial hole and ensures that the trains keep running without strikes.”

The ads had BART congratulating itself for carrying riders to their destinations during Super Bowl 50 week, and used the opportunity to suggest how vital it is to support BART. BART is considering a multi-billion dollar property tax bond and sales tax increases to bail the transit system out of a massive capitol deficit.

Glazer asked whether the BART Board had approved this expenditure and whether there was an opportunity for the public to provide feedback in this expenditure choice.

“I hope this wasn’t another example of backroom dealing without any public input. Fake security cameras and fake PR are not what the public expects from this agency.”

The radio ad that BART has been running is a thinly-veiled campaign appeal for their upcoming bond proposal.

Details: The cost of the radio buy was $25,000 and it was part of an on-going marketing budget. The ad ran Mon-Wed on these stations:

  • KNBR /KTCT-FM Sports talk/ sports talk 680/1050
  • KSAN-FM Rock “The Bone”
  • 107.7 KOIT-FM Better Music for a Better Workday
  • 96.5 KGMZ-FM
  • The Game 95.7 KCBS News

Here’s the script:

My name is Victor Wong and I’m a train operator at BART. Last week it was our job to get you to Super Bowl City and the NFL Experience in San Francisco safely and on time.

We carried hundreds of thousands of riders. It was a great week for the Bay Area and a reminder of our role in the community. We’re looking forward to other BARTable events like A’s, Giants and Warriors games.

We take pride in helping riders get to places they love. Thanks again from all of us at BART.

According to Glazer’s office, this radio campaign comes on the heels of a press release in which BART spokesman Jim Allison said upfront that this is about convincing voters to “reinvest” in BART.

“The fact that so many people relied on BART to enjoy an epic weekend is a prime example of BART’s vital role in our Bay Area quality of life,” said BART spokesman Jim Allison. “It’s also a vivid reminder of the importance of reinvesting in assets like public transportation.”

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6 comments

Steve Smith Feb 13, 2016 - 7:33 am

Steve Glazer should be focusing on state issues, not BART.

Marty Fernandez Feb 13, 2016 - 8:16 am

I applaud Steve Glazer for sticking with the Bart fiasco. We need someone to keep an eye on the outrageous activities of the board. This board has no respect for the public which pays their way. They are so out of control we will never be above water in our life time. Contract time again..keep it up Mr. Glazer. Fake cameras indeed!

Nick Feb 13, 2016 - 11:39 am

Glazer… stay on BART like white on rice. Someone has to do it. BART needs real cameras, and announcing the cameras are fake just helps the criminals, not responsible citizens trying to get to work or elsewhere.

Antioch is the new Detroit Feb 14, 2016 - 5:58 am

When is someone going to call out PG&E for all their tv and radio ads ? Who pays for their advertisement ??? We do ,yet they always are sending out pointless paperwork in the mail and an energy report that is completely a waste of money and time. I wish they would lower rates instead of trying to paint a happy picture for themselves with advertisement. Same with our water . Why do they advertise when we are forced to go through their monopoly ?

Anon Too Feb 17, 2016 - 5:22 pm

PG&E will tell you that their shareholders pay for those ads. I’m not sure how that isn’t robbing Peter to pay Paul though.

Sean I Feb 17, 2016 - 10:31 am

Nothing like a public service wanting to be thanking for doing it’s job.

Comments are closed.