06.30.23

BART reopens restrooms at Embarcadero and Downtown Berkeley stations Just in time for the July 4th holiday weekend, 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 30th, the final day of the fiscal year, with the addition of restroom attendants on duty during all hours the stations are opened to greet riders and discourage unwanted behavior.

BART is prioritizing the reopening of clean restrooms as part of our strategy to regain ridership and to better serve families taking BART to fun activities.

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 that BART is prioritizing and investing in downtown San Francisco stations, with attended restrooms now open at Powell Street, Montgomery Street and Embarcadero Stations.”

At Downtown Berkeley Station, the reopened restroom has been enhanced by repainting walls, refreshing tiles, replacing light fixtures with energy efficient LED lights, and installing hand dryers. It is located on the concourse level near the Station Agent booth.

“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 because of safety concerns, but redesigned restrooms at Powell Street and 19th Street/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 have used the four restrooms. These restrooms have 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.