BART seat hogs will be fined up to $500

Attention, inconsiderate people: BART just voted to fine riders who take up more than one seat during commute hours. BART director Joel Keller proposed the policy, which he says was prompted by seeing a rude young rider on BART.

Here’s how the fines will work, according to the San Francisco Business Times:

The board voted 5 to 4 to enact the measure, which will fine riders who are caught using more than one seat $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for repeat offenses. It will be enforced during BART’s peak hours, 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.

The San Francisco Business Times also says that “the new rule will go into effect once the BART police develop an enforcement policy that is approved by the board,” so it could be a little while before you see the policy in action.

BART has tried to enforce better rider behavior in the past, like in this BART etiquette video and courtesy posters. They even had etiquette cops who could ban you from BART for a year.

This time the fine is for real, so whatever you do, just don’t be this guy, on BART or Muni.

Photo by @bwinegarner