BART is turning unused parking into a new source of revenue by renting spots out to local businesses with new online tool

BART has generated $6 million in new revenue since the pandemic by leasing its underutilized parking lots to companies looking to rent parking spaces for daytime use. BART began offering select parking lots to non-BART riders to generate new revenue to help address its FY27 $376M operating budget deficit brought on by remote work. To streamline the process and attract more business, BART recently launched a new online portal for those looking to rent at least 25 spaces for six months or more. Interest to date has come from local businesses looking for employee and fleet vehicle parking.

BART is leasing portions of its parking lots at all stations offering parking except for the six stations which fill up with BART parkers on weekdays (Glen Park, MacArthur, Orinda, Rockridge, Walnut Creek, and West Oakland). Restrictions to this new program include, but are not limited to, long-term parking storage, nearby residence parking, or conducting any kinds of commercial activity such as car rentals. Limited exceptions can be made related to these restrictions for those who accept all maintenance and operations responsibilities for the permitted areas.

BART also offers special event permits to allow others to use parking lots or plazas for community events at a rate of about $2,000 per day in addition to operational costs. Some events that have recently taken place include the 2025 Bizerkeley Food Fest at North Berkeley BART Station parking lot, as well as The Wardrobe Project (a Vintage & Makers Market) at Rockridge Station on the third Saturday of the month.

"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. Our parking lots are also a great venue to hold outdoor events on the weekends, offering easy access to transit and parking spaces."

Long term, BART has active Transit-Oriented Development projects to build housing on BART's parking lots and land to increase both ridership and lease revenue. Projects in the planning or development phase include Ashby, El Cerrito Plaza, Fremont, Lake Merritt, North Berkeley, Richmond Transit Village, Walnut Creek, West Dublin and West Oakland.

During the height of the pandemic, BART reimagined its parking lots as COVID testing sites, farmers markets, vaccination sites, and even rented parts of the Castro Valley Station parking lot to display model accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, which interested parties could tour ahead of purchasing a home.

BART has also hosted sold-out events in its parking lots to increase ridership. Last year the Concord BART Station was transformed into an outdoor movie night and the BART Sound Tracks Jazz Festival was held at the North Berkeley Station complete with BART themed mocktails.

BART continues to explore revenue generating ideas utilizing our existing resources.