BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit System, has become a major factor in the San Francisco Bay Area transportation network. BART is in better financial shape than most other public transportation systems in the U.S. Herringer discusses financial performance, on-time performance, and expanding capacity. To most improve performance, trains should be run closer together. BART will be judged by its unfulfilled promises and unreasonable expectations. Yet the reasons for which BART was built--providing an attractive alternative to driving, and preserving vital downtown centers--are growing more compelling. It has been challenging to manage BART because public sector management is not conducive to sound decision making--innovation and risk taking are unacceptable, and labor relations often present an impossible situation.