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Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) recently agreed to share costs for BART’s new SFO extension to San Francisco International Airport.

In March, BART officials planned to file a lawsuit if SamTrans didn’t pay $11 million to help subsidize operating costs for the extension, which includes a cross-over platform at Millbrae Station to enable passengers to access Caltrain commuter-rail service, operated by SamTrans. But SamTrans officials believe the agencies’ existing agreement states that the extension must be operated without resorting to subsidies, and the line’s ridership and revenue are below projections.

Under the recent agreement, SamTrans will continue to pay for the extension’s operating costs and BART will enhance service on the line. The agencies — which recently began a direct mail campaign targeting 128,000 households in San Mateo County — also will create a joint marketing program to increase ridership.

In addition, the agencies are considering whether to implement a joint ticket for SamTrans’, Caltrain’s and BART’s service, and offer a long-term parking program. BART and SamTrans officials agreed to meet regularly to review performance and not pursue legal action during fiscal-year 2005.