How BART Hopes to Open the Rush Hour Window

In the hopes of letting some air into the congested rush hour commute, BART is considering a social-media focused program to entice riders onto trains at times other than the peak commute.

1 minute read

March 26, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


BART Train

Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock

Michael Cabanatuan reported earlier this month on a new experiment underway at BART to relieve its crowded system: "using a mix of social media, gaming and cash as an incentive to get some BART riders to travel outside of the busiest parts of the commute."

A program known as BART Perks will be rolled out this spring with the goal of 'nudging passenger travel times' from the heart of the commute to slightly less-crowded times. Enticing just 1,250 people — about the capacity of a 10-car train — to commute a bit earlier or later, officials said, could significantly reduce crowding on trains and station platforms.

According to the article, ridership on BART has boomed along with the regional economy, outpacing the capacity of the system, especially at rush hour. The article also includes the details available at the time of what is intended as a six-month pilot test of the program.

Jack Morse also provides the local blogger take on the program in an article for SFist.

Thursday, March 3, 2016 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit