BART Considers Reopening Bathrooms at Underground Stations

Some BART riders have been holding it for 15 years, but relief may be around the corner.

After the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, BART closed the bathrooms at its 10 underground stations on the recommendation of the Department of Homeland Security. Now, they are considering reopening the bathrooms at the Powell Street station in San Francisco and the 19th Street station in Oakland as part of a pilot project.

"Let's get them opened," said Bob Powers, assistant general manager for planning, development and construction at BART. "Let's get some numbers and some data in in the first six months, and see what opportunities there are to course correct, and then we'll report back to the board."

Project proponents said that opening the restrooms could help solve cleanliness problems BART faces elsewhere -- like human waste in elevators and stairwells.

But some BART directors voiced concerns.

"If we go forward, we are countermanding the best practice recommendation from the experts who know about protecting public spaces," Director Joel Keller said. He suggested they get feedback from the Department of Homeland Security.

BART Director John McPartland said he would also want input from the workers union and from BART police.

"I think this is kind of a done deal. We're going in this direction. We just have to figure out how we're going to do it in the best way we can," says McPartland.

Directors also discussed working with the San Francisco Public Works' Pit Stop program on overall public restroom availability. Several directors said they'd like to make the bathrooms gender neutral.

Thursday's meeting was purely informational and no vote was taken. The Board of Directors is expected to vote on the pilot project later this fall.