Automatic Train Control
Service at the station began on September 11, 1972. During the first months of revenue service, the Automatic Train Control (ATC) system had safety problems with its design and operation. On October 2, 1972, an ATC failure caused a train to run off the end of the elevated track at the Fremont station and crash to the ground - an incident dubbed the "Fremont Flyer". Four people on board were injured. The incident drew national and international attention, followed a month later by release of the "Post Report" on BART safety by the legislative analyst for the California State Senate. The “Fremont Flyer” train crash led to a comprehensive redesign of the automatic train control system, the firing of the general manager, and the replacement of the board of directors.