What a glorious day this is, folks. In a 5 to 4 vote on Thursday, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will push to fine passengers who take up more than their fair share of space. And you know who you are.
"Violators will first get a warning before facing a $100 fine, $200 on the next offense and up to $500 for each ticket after that," reports KQED. "The ordinance will only be enforced from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m."
Also, passengers with medical and/or physical conditions that might call upon the use of more than one seat will be exempt.
The ordinance will go into effect after a re-education program rolls out over the next few months.
But this new law isn't aimed at those carrying too many bags or luggage. After all, not everyone can afford a new SUV to haul home goods from Daly City Target back to SF. As the San Francisco Chronicle points out, "[T]he rule is directed more at people using seats as footrests, rather than those weighed down with luggage, and he expected most to comply voluntarily."
Or, as BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey puts it, "It’s [about] displaying rude and boorish behavior."
Your move, Muni.