BART to extend elevator attendant program

Three months into a six-month pilot program that stationed attendants at BART elevators—infamous for being makeshift toilets, among other issues—the agency has decided to extend it into late 2019 due to positive feedback.

“This program is amazing on so many levels,” said Paula Fraser, assistant chief transportation officer for BART’s downtown San Francisco lines. “These workers are from the community, they’re helping our patrons, and they’re improving the quality of life in our stations, which benefits everyone.”

The program went into effect at the Powell Street and Civic Center stations, placing helpers inside the elevators. Riders complained for years that the lifts were unsanitary and unusable, especially for people with disabilities. Most notably, local advocate Sunday Parker chronicled evidence of the putrid conditions in 2016.

In all, 35 people staff the two stations’ elevators 21 hours a day beginning at 4 a.m. The program cost roughly $3.2 million, split between BART and SFMTA.

• BART elevator attendant program extended [SF Examiner]
• Elevator attendant pilot program extended after positive results: “Amazing on so many levels” [BART]
• Advocate for people with disabilities documents BART’s nasty elevators [Curbed SF]
• BART posts elevator attendants to combat “surprises” [Curbed SF]