BART stations could boast more than just trains

Buying and selling: Retail and concessions have been in BART stations since the 1980s, but the transit agency is “always looking to find more types of vendors.” (Cindy Chew/The Examiner)

SAN FRANCISCO —

BART says adding more retail shops to stations could bring some extra revenue to the fiscally troubled transit agency.

"A number of companies have recently expressed interest in developing high-quality station retail that would enhance the BART patron experience and create a new source of revenue," the transit agency said in a new report.

Cash-strapped BART is facing burgeoning budget deficits in the coming years. It’s addressing a multiyear, multimillion-dollar deficit by increasing ticket prices and cutting some train service next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Allowing businesses to set up shop in "multiple" stations is one way BART can gain revenue without burdening riders.

BART has had retail and concessions at stations since the 1980s, but "we’re always looking to find more types of vendors," spokesman Linton Johnson said. Malls and clothing stores are among those retailers that have expressed interest, he said.

"That said, retail and other concessions don’t generate a significant amount of money," Johnson said. "But when you’re trying to eliminate a $250 million, four-year [operating] deficit, every penny helps."

Money from retail operations would go toward BART’s operating budget, he said.

Many stations are already surrounded by shopping choices that lure riders to BART, Johnson said, including the downtown San Francisco Westfield Centre and those surrounding the Hayward, Rockridge, Fruitvale and downtown Berkeley stations.

"We’re building more shopping at Pleasant Hill and at the new West Dublin/Pleasanton station," he said.

One of the first steps is figuring out where to put new retail shops in stations and how they would fit into future plans to renovate and expand stations, which are "roughly 40 years old," the report said.

"When the original BART system was designed, very little attention was paid to a retail function within the stations," according to the report.

BART likely "won’t be having vendors inside the fare gates," largely because of space and security issues, Johnson said.