The CPUC most certainly does regulate Muni, AC Transit, SCRRA, San Jose, Sacramento, etc..; and BART. And there is no law specific to BART regulating it and no one else - what would have been the point. CPUC General Order 127 does apply to all transit systems (public or private) in the state. It says so!

Indeed, the PUC regulates these various properties in several ways, such as catenary and pole line standards, grade crossing construction and placement standards, in street construction standards, block signal placement, subway ventilation standards, and safety standards of all sorts.

And yes, to the great annoyance of both SP and ATSF signal engineers that I knew, the PUC also imposed some block signal standards on private railroads as well. Especially annoying to these guys were those applied to the first block or so out from an interlocking where only overlapped blocks protected against opposing moves. I believe lately though, that the FEDs have been over-ruling the PUC on these issues, at least on the interstate railroads, or maybe CTC makes those rules mute anyway - not sure.

But even though the FEDs have taken a larger role; still, no one, not even Muni, AC Transit, SCRRA, San Jose, Sacramento, UP, BNSF, nor anyone else, can put in a grade crossing without CPUC authority - period.

Now, If you read all of Zarkoff's posts together, you can clearly see that his BART sources, such as B&B guys, ex air traffic controllers waiting for something to do in the control center, and foreman fired for cause, are probably not the most accurate sources for detailed technical knowledge.

Neither was the media at the time. Most derogatory reports about BART at the time originated with the Contra Costa Times. Now the CC times was then known as the Green Sheet; a throw-away rag that was left on your driveway whether you liked it or not. Of course the green dye quickly faded to yellow if left on the driveway, as it usually was. That was just as well, as it was also well known for its yellow journalism (still is). Their reports about "signals falling to green" and other absurdities were just plain false - bald face lies, actually. There weren't even any signals at all on any revenue tracks. OPB is right on this one!

Indeed, Mr OPB's reports on this forum, have over the last year or so, exposed many of the causes of various problems that plague public transportation. Those problems seem solvable with sufficient political will - Now, if only those in authority would just listen.