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    BART reopens restrooms in Embarcadero Station and Downtown Berkeley Station

    July 5, 2023
    Both station restrooms now include the addition of restroom attendants on duty during all hours; BART is prioritizing the reopening of clean restrooms as part of its strategy to regain ridership and to better serve families.
    Related To: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
    BART
    Crews put finishing touches on door at Embarcadero Station restroom.
    Crews put finishing touches on door at Embarcadero Station restroom.

    Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) reopened two more underground restrooms as the agency continues to focus on improving the rider experience with new amenities.

    All-gender restrooms at Embarcadero Station in San Francisco and Downtown Berkeley Station reopened on June 30 with the addition of restroom attendants on duty during all hours.

    BART is prioritizing the reopening of clean restrooms as part of its strategy to regain ridership and to better serve families.

    Both station restrooms have refreshed wall tiles, energy-efficient and brighter LED lighting and new toilets, sinks and hand dryers. Both restrooms are on the concourse level not far from the main Station Agents booths.

    "Embarcadero Station is among the busiest stations in the entire BART system," said BART Board President Janice Li. "BART riders deserve basic amenities like safe, clean restroom facilities. I'm proud BART is prioritizing and investing in downtown San Francisco stations, with attended restrooms now open at Powell Street, Montgomery Street and Embarcadero Stations."

    “Reopening restrooms is something our customers have been demanding”, said BART Board member Rebecca Saltzman. “Restrooms are essential to everyone and opening them is one of the many steps we're taking to improve the BART rider experience.”

    Early success and phased approach to reopening

    Restrooms at 10 of BART’s underground stations had been closed since 9/11 due to safety concerns but redesigned restrooms at Powell Street and 19th St./Oakland stations opened in February 2022, followed by Montgomery Street and Lake Merritt stations restrooms opening in June 2022. All reopened with the addition of restroom attendants. From June 1, 2022, through May 30, 2023, a total of 249,846 people used the four restrooms. BART notes the restrooms have had far fewer requests for maintenance and repairs due to the presence of attendants.

    BART is taking a phased approach to reopening restrooms at the remaining underground stations based on available funding. The remaining underground restrooms, all requiring extensive renovations, are at 12th St./Oakland, Civic Center, 16th St. Mission and 24th St. Mission stations.