Purple Line (BART)

{{Short description|Former rapid transit shuttle service in the San Francisco Bay Area, California}} {{Use American English|date=April 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox rail line | box_width = 320px | name = SFO–Millbrae line | color = {{rcr|BART|Purple}} | image = Purple Line train at SFIA station (2), February 2019.JPG | image_width = 320px | caption = SFO–Millbrae line train at SFO station in February 2019 | type = [[Rapid transit]] | system = [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]] | locale = [[San Francisco Peninsula]] | start = {{Bart|San Francisco International Airport}} | end = {{Bart|Millbrae}} | routes = | daily_ridership = | open = | close = | owner = | operator = [[Bay Area Rapid Transit District|San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District]] | character = | stock = | event1label = First period of operation | event1 = {{start date|2003|6|22}}–February 9, 2004 | event2label = Second period of operation | event2 = February 11, 2019–August 2, 2021 | linelength_mi = 1.7 | tracklength = | tracks = | gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} | electrification = [[Third rail]], [[List of railway electrification systems#Conductor rail systems (DC voltage)|1 kV DC]] | speed = | map = {{switcher |{{maplink-road|from=Purple Line (BART).map}} SFO–Millbrae line highlighted in purple <hr /> | Show interactive map | {{Purple Line (BART)|inline=yes}} | Show route diagram }} }}

The '''SFO–Millbrae line''' (also known as the '''SFO–Millbrae shuttle''') was a [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]] (BART) [[shuttle train|shuttle]] line in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] that ran between [[Millbrae station]] and [[San Francisco International Airport station]] (SFO). The line was colored purple on maps, and BART sometimes called it the '''Purple Line'''.<ref name="impacts">{{cite press release|url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2019/news20190115|title=February 11 schedule change impacts weekdays and Sundays|date=January 15, 2019|publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> The line was a shuttle service with no intermediate stops; it shared tracks with two of the five other mainline BART services. The service operated from June 2003 to February 2004 and from February 2019 to August 2021.

== Service history == ===2003–2004 service=== [[File:BART map detail showing purple line.jpg|thumb|left|Detail from 2003 BART map showing the SFO-Millbrae shuttle service]] When the [[History of Bay Area Rapid Transit#San Francisco International Airport extension (1984–2003)|BART-SFO Extension]] opened on June 22, 2003, the [[Yellow Line (BART)|Pittsburg/Bay Point line]] (Yellow Line) was extended to [[Millbrae station]], while the [[Blue Line (BART)|Dublin/Pleasanton line]] (Blue Line) was extended to [[San Francisco International Airport station]]. Service between the SFO and Millbrae terminals was provided by this line, which operated every 20 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/BART-to-link-to-SFO-June-22-After-many-delays-2654540.php |title=BART to link to SFO June 22 / After many delays, latest date is firm, transit officials say |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=April 18, 2003 |first=Michael |last=Cabanatuan}}</ref> The line was discontinued on February 9, 2004 during the first of several service changes on the extension.<ref name=feb2004>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/BART-changing-schedule-so-more-go-to-SFO-2800214.php |title=BART changing schedule so more go to SFO / Peninsula ridership below expectations, needs a boost |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=February 7, 2004 |first=Michael |last=Cabanatuan}}</ref>

For the next several years, direct service between SFO and Millbrae was provided by other BART lines. Between February 2004 and September 2005, the [[Red Line (BART)|Richmond line]] (Red Line) connected the stations on weekdays and Pittsburg/Bay Point line (Yellow Line) connected the stations on nights and weekends. Between September 2005 and January 2008, the Dublin/Pleasanton line (Blue Line) provided the connection at all times.<ref name=feb2004 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Dave|date=August 11, 2005|title=PENINSULA / BART to airport to be cut / Weekend trains to be kept on Peninsula|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/PENINSULA-BART-to-airport-to-be-cut-Weekend-2648564.php}}</ref>

On January 1, 2008, direct service between Millbrae and the airport was discontinued and passengers connecting between SFO and Millbrae needed to transfer at [[San Bruno station (BART)|San Bruno station]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Rachel|date=December 9, 2007|title=BART to raise fares, increase train frequency starting Jan. 1|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/BART-to-raise-fares-increase-train-frequency-3233521.php}}</ref> Direct service between the stations was restored on September 14, 2009 during nights and weekends as an extension of the Pittsburg/Bay Point line.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2009/news20090901a|title=Off-peak service reductions began Monday, September 14th|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> {{clear left}}

===2019–2021 service=== [[File:Purple Line train at Millbrae station, February 2019.JPG|thumb|left|A shuttle train at Millbrae in February 2019]] On June 24, 2018, [[SamTrans]] began operating route SFO, a dedicated bus service between the two stations. Unlike BART service, the bus route operates on irregular headways timed to meet certain [[Caltrain]] trains at Millbrae.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.samtrans.com/about/MediaRelations/news/SamTrans_Launches_ECR_Rapid__Route_SFO.html |title=SamTrans Launches ECR Rapid, Route SFO |date=June 19, 2018 |publisher=San Mateo County Transit District}}</ref>

On February 11, 2019, BART resumed direct SFO–Millbrae service at all times. On weekdays until 9 pm and on Sundays, a dedicated shuttle train operated between the two stations, with timed transfers to [[Yellow Line (BART)|Antioch line]] (Yellow Line) trains at SFO. The Antioch line continued to run between SFO and Millbrae on weeknights and Saturdays.<ref name="impacts" /> On February 10, 2020, BART began listing the SFO–Millbrae line as operating at all times, with the Antioch line terminating at SFO at all times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekday Schedule as of February 10, 2020|url=https://www.bart.gov/sites/default/files/docs/February%202020%20BART%20Public%20Timetable%20Weekday%20Final%20all%20Lines.pdf|publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> The service was operated with a dedicated shuttle train on weekdays and Saturdays, with timed transfers to Antioch line (Yellow Line) trains at SFO. On weeknights and Sundays, the two services were interlined, with no transfer required at SFO.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2020/news20200131-0|title=BART schedule change begins February 10, 2020|date=January 31, 2020|publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref>

Beginning on March 22, 2021, the shuttle was interlined with the Richmond line on weekdays, and with the Antioch line on weekends.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2021/news20210316 |title=BART schedule change begins March 22, 2021 |date=March 16, 2021 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> The shuttle was eliminated effective August 2, 2021; it was replaced by an extension of the Richmond line to SFO on weekdays and Saturdays, and by an extension of the Antioch line to Millbrae evenings and Sundays.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2021/news20210726-0 |title=BART returns to near-regular service starting 8/2/21 |date=July 26, 2021 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref>

On March 6, 2022, a break in a power cable near Berkeley caused SFO–Richmond service to be temporarily discontinued. On March 8, a shuttle service began operating between SFO and Millbrae.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220308 |title=Orange Line only between Richmond and MacArthur, Red line suspended (transfers available) |date=March 8, 2022 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> Red Line service resumed on March 22, with the shuttle discontinued.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220308 |title=Red line service now restored with 5-car trains |date=March 21, 2022 |publisher=Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> A similar cable break near Richmond on June 17, 2022, resulted in SFO–Millbrae shuttle service being used to supplement limited Red Line service beginning on June 20.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2022/news20220619 |title=Red line service (Richmond to Millbrae) impacted by power cable issue |date=June 19, 2022 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref>

On January 13, 2025, a shuttle train began operating between SFO and Millbrae between 9 pm and midnight due to the installation of [[Communications Based Train Control]] equipment near Millbrae. It is signed as part of the Yellow Line.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2024/news20241216-0 |title=BART’s schedule will change on January 13, 2025, to launch construction of a modern train control system |date=December 16, 2024 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District}}</ref> {{clear left}}

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:SFO-Millbrae line}} [[Category:Bay Area Rapid Transit lines]] [[Category:Railway lines opened in 2003]] [[Category:2003 establishments in California]] [[Category:Railway services discontinued in 2004]] [[Category:2004 disestablishments in California]] [[Category:Railway services introduced in 2019]] [[Category:2019 establishments in California]] [[Category:Railway services discontinued in 2021]] [[Category:2021 disestablishments in California]]