BART recently launched a new online portal allowing local businesses and organizations to lease underutilized parking spaces at most stations, including the stations in Richmond and El Cerrito.
The program targets companies and organizations looking to rent blocks of at least 25 spaces for six months or more, a move that has already generated $6 million in new revenue for the agency since the pandemic.
The initiative aims to put a dent in a projected $376 million budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year. High-demand stations like MacArthur and Orinda are excluded because their lots still fill up on weekdays.
“BART is looking to generate new revenue in creative ways,” said Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost. “While demand at some of our lots exceed supply on weekdays, many of them have capacity we can offer to others to generate new revenue.”
BART also offers special event permits for its parking lots and plazas at a rate of approximately $2,000 per day. Food festivals and vintage markets are examples of this use.