BART Tests Wrapped Trains for New Revenue

BART launches pilot program testing wrapped train cars to generate advertising revenue

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BART Tests Wrapped Train Car for Ad Revenue

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BART riders may spot a bright blue train car covered in dancing BARTy mascots roving the system in coming months. The wrapped train car began operating Monday, April 20, as part of a pilot program to test paid advertisements as a potential new revenue source, transit officials said. The initiative comes as BART addresses a significant fiscal cliff while implementing cost-cutting measures that've already reduced expenses by hundreds of millions of dollars.

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BART previously sold train car wraps for its retired legacy fleet, and this pilot will help determine how the new Fleet of the Future cars perform with wrap materials. The test will evaluate durability, appearance, and maintenance over time in real-world conditions, according to the transit agency. Transit agencies nationwide have increasingly turned to advertising revenue to supplement operating budgets, with wrapped vehicles becoming a common sight in major metropolitan systems. The wrapping process requires precision and coordination with maintenance schedules to avoid impacting service.

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Passengers can still see out the windows even when riding inside the wrapped train car, officials said. The special vinyl material allows visibility from inside while displaying full-color graphics on the exterior. Officials didn't specify the cost of the wrap or potential revenue projections from future advertising sales. The BARTy-themed design serves as a test case before the agency potentially offers wrapped train cars to commercial advertisers.

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The BARTy car will rove across the system over the next few months as staff monitor the wrap's performance. Following the test period, staff will evaluate whether selling train car wraps is a viable long-term option for advertisers, transit officials said. Officials haven't announced a specific timeline for when they'll make a decision about expanding the program or how many additional cars might be wrapped if the pilot proves successful.

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Riders who encounter the special train can expect normal service, as the wrap doesn't affect operations or schedules. BART encourages passengers to share photos of the BARTy car on social media. Moovit provides real-time BART arrival information and trip planning to help riders navigate the system, including tracking which trains are approaching their station.