CONCORD -- Crews were working to clear tracks outside the Concord BART station after a train derailed there Sunday morning.
No one was seriously injured and train service was expected to be back to normal in time for the Monday morning commute, but a BART spokesman said a contingency plan was in place if the work is not completed.
"We're pretty confident. We'll be working on the area overnight and fully expect to have normal BART service in the morning," said BART spokesman Linton Johnson on Sunday evening.
The closure came after a 10-car BART train headed for San Francisco airport derailed as it was pulling out of the Concord station at 9:20 a.m. Sunday. The wheels of the eighth car came completely off the track and the ninth car partially derailed, Johnson said.
Contra Costa Fire Department and BART police officers safely evacuated the 65 passengers on board, he said. Battalion Chief Ryan Cisterman said three passengers were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries.
BART officials arranged for buses to transport passengers between the Pittsburg/Bay Point station and the Pleasant Hill station, where they could board a train. If service was not back to normal by Monday morning, Johnson said trains would run between the Pittsburg/Bay Point station and the Concord station, where passengers would board buses to the Pleasant Hill BART station, and board another train.
Johnson warned that buses, if used, will likely be crowded. Passengers are encouraged to get to BART early or board the train at the Pleasant Hill BART station instead.
BART officials are still investigating the cause of the accident. Johnson said investigators followed standard procedure, which included interviewing the train's operator, administering a drug test, offering counseling, and putting the driver on paid administrative leave.
Information will be available to passengers online at www.bart.gov .
