BART Could Go Into the Ad Business

The Bay Area Rapid Transit Agency is considering selling the naming rights to stations and putting up more wrap-around ads on the outside of trains in an attempt to raise additional revenue.
     
Those measures will be presented to the agency's board of directors at a meeting on Thursday. BART is facing a projected $7.5 billion capital funding deficit over the next 30 years.

The rail line took in about $6 million in advertising revenue last year. But BART officials say their use of advertising has been much more limited than other transit agencies.

The board will also consider putting ads on station and train information monitors and erecting billboards on rights-of-way.

This while the board is set to reconsider the possibility of creating a monthly fare pass, something the agency has been reluctant to do because 90 percent of its revenue comes from the farebox.