Bay Area Rapid Transit has started accepting applications for its Earthquake Safety Program Citizens' Oversight Committee, transit agency officials announced Friday.

The committee functions to ensure that BART spends bond revenue authorized under Measure AA on earthquake safety retrofits, according to the agency.

Measure AA, a general obligation bond that funds BART's Earthquake Safety Program, was passed by voters of Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties in Nov. 2004, officials said. The program strives to upgrade BART's system operation facilities to make certain that the system will operate shortly after a major earthquake.

Eligible applicants must live in Alameda, Contra Costa or San Francisco counties and successful candidates will serve a two-year term. Meetings will be held biannually unless the committee agrees to meet more frequently.

For more information on the committee, call Molly McArthur, BART manager of community relations for capital projects, at (510) 874-7478 or visit www.bart.gov/earthquakesafety.

— Bay City News