Fail as usual
So, BART, why wasn't that switch problem at Lake Merritt fixed by the rush hour at the end of the day? It was a problem in the morning and it was a problem in the evening.
And what was up with the TO who would only say "We'll be moving shortly" and it was only at the very end he explained what the hell was going on?
And why, TO, did you decide to go at half speed between the 3rd to last and 2nd to last station for my ride? No explanation at all.
Maybe because it's Monday, but I'm so glad to be home.
TO does not decide to go half
TO does not decide to go half speed. The train could be having a problem and sending itself into half speed or central tells him/her to.
A switch issue could be
A switch issue could be something that can only be resolved AFTER revenue service, when trains stop running and all the wayside crews get on the track to fix outstanding issues. Many switch problems can be resolved once a crew shows up to the switch (interlocking), but depending on the severity of the problem it might require more resources than are currently available or, as previously mentioned it could be a fix that requires no movement of trains through the area. In the case of Lake Merritt, that would be the Oakland Wye and ALL trains go through there.
The operator might not have any further information to provide you, the patron. Sometimes central will come on the radio and give a "canned" explanation of what it going on, including a delay estimate. Not sure how accurate that is.
As for the speed issue for your last few stations, I cannot say. I could have been related to the wayside problem, which might have required trains to move at a lower speed.