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Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) recently adopted a $557.3 million operating budget for fiscal-year 2007, which begins July 1.

The budget includes funds to operate longer trains, create a senior-level staff position to oversee the agency’s security efforts and implement a strategic maintenance program.

In April, BART officials announced the agency was facing a $4.7 million FY2007 budget shortfall. However, the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission recently updated state transportation assistance fund projections and found BART would receive $2.5 million more than originally anticipated. The agency also will receive $1.3 million more in state property taxes than originally projected.

BART will make up the remaining $900,000 by reducing medical insurance payments and workers’ compensation expenses. The agency also plans to implement a computer system designed to manage labor costs.