SFO Station turns three, BART celebrates with $300k ridership campaign

RIDERSHIP TO SFO STILL SHOWING NON-STOP GROWTH

BART is proud to celebrate the third anniversary of revenue service to its San Francisco International Station (SFO) by announcing a new $300,000 ridership growth campaign designed to increase the station's already growing ridership.

The SFO Station has served 7.1 million passengers since it opened to paying passengers on June 22, 2003.

Beginning in early July, there will be three different types of ads located throughout San Francisco International Airport's terminals. The ads encourage passengers not only to take BART but they also remind them that a ride to downtown San Francisco is a quick 30 minutes and costs only $5.15. The ads also encourage riders to take BART to the East Bay by reminding them that BART is "Fast and Easy" and cost only "$5.35 to $7.65."

$300K CAMPAIGN WON'T COST RIDERS OR TAXPAYERS A DIME
The ridership campaign is valued at $300,000. "However, taxpayers and riders won't have to pay a dime to display these ads," BART Director James Fang said. "That's because BART and the airport are trading ad space. This unique agreement requires that BART displays SFO ads on the back of some tickets, inside trains and stations as well as wrapping several train cars in SFO ads. BART continues to make sure that our riders and taxpayers get their money's worth out of BART."

SFO RIDERSHIP CONTINUES TO GROW YEAR OVER YEAR
Despite erroneous reports to the contrary, ridership to the SFO Station has grown each and every year since the station officially opened to revenue service on June 22, 2003. Between the first and second years of the station's opening, ridership grew by 15% or more than 2.4 million trips. Between the third and fourth year of its opening, ridership grew by another 3.5%.

"It's clear that the SFO Station is a success and continues to gain in popularity. Every year more and more people are discovering just how easy and convenient taking BART to SFO really is," Director Fang said. "That said, while ridership to SFO continues to grow, the growth rate has slightly slowed. That's why we are hoping this new ridership campaign is a success."

LOW COST AIRPORT PARKING IN EAST BAY
Additionally, riders can avoid the high cost of airport parking by reserving a long-term parking space at $5/day at any East Bay BART parking lots, except at the West Oakland and Coliseum/Oakland Airport Stations. To take advantage of the long-term parking offer, riders should purchase a permit over the phone (877) 700-PARK or securely online.

BART vs. DRIVING
Between SFO & Downtown SF: BART $5.15, Taxi $25-$37, Shuttle $12-$17