Published January 24th, 2018
Orinda BART access options looking up
By Sora O'Doherty
The new path to Theatre Square Photo provided
BART parking often means problems for Orinda. Residents who use BART find it difficult to get a parking space in the Orinda BART lot and residents who don't use BART complain about BART users parking all over their neighbors streets, making it difficult to park. A new program to reduce the number of vehicles parking at BART was put into place, as well as upgrades to the trail leading BART riders to and from downtown Orinda.
For those who walk to Orinda BART from the Theatre Square area, the city at the end of last year completed its BART Downtown Access Ramp and Lighting Project, which includes a new passage to Theatre Square that is well lit and ADA compliant.
A new program involving the Scoop carpooling app in Orinda also aims to encourage carpooling to BART to reduce parking congestion. Now carpoolers will be guaranteed a parking space if they arrive before 10 a.m. at a discount from regular reserved prices.
And, for a small charge, BART riders may soon be able to grab a LimeBike at the station, perhaps to get home, or just to get into Theatre Square or Orinda Village for a bite to eat.
Scoop
The Scoop program is a partnership between BART, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the rideshare app that guarantees a parking spot in the permit area on weekdays.
Carpoolers must ride BART round trip to utilize the permits. At least two carpool riders must display permits on the dashboard before leaving the vehicle. Cars pulling in with just one person will be subject to citation, even if they dropped off a passenger at BART before parking. BART promises to hold the carpool spaces open until 10 a.m. but cannot absolutely guarantee that there will be room for all carpool cars every day, as some days, notably football game days, may overwhelm the system.
Contra Costa residents going to the Orinda station are also eligible for discounts on the Scoop app through a partnership between 511 Contra Costa, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Scoop.
This program was made possible with funding from a Federal Transit Administration Mobility On Demand Sandbox grant. The grant includes enhancements to the app that will make the trip to BART seamless for commuters. Scoop to BART commuters will be able to find a match, pay or receive money for the carpool and pay for BART parking through the app.
Online reservations
Drivers may also reserve a parking space in advance for up to 10 days (not including overnight parking) for a $6 per day fee, or for up to 30 days, including overnight parking, for $7 per day. Users of the online reservation system may purchase a maximum of 10 single-day permits. Both single-day and airport/long-term parking permits may not be purchased earlier than two months in advance. Spaces are held open until 10 a.m. after which permit/reserved areas are open to the general public and space cannot be reserved.
Useful links
Carpool parking: https://www.bart.gov/guide/parking/carpool

BART single day reservations: https://www.select-a-spot.com/bart/reservations/facilities/?type=daily

BART airport parking: https://www.select-a-spot.com/bart/reservations/facilities/?type=long_term






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