Step 5 - Choose a Seat Or Standing Place

Sitting

If there are seats, choose one that's on the inside of the aisle. Spare yourself the annoyingness of people climbing over you to get to that seat.

Standing

If it's standing room only, move as far into the car as possible. Keep an eye out at later stops to see if you need to move in further if there's a crush of new people. Otherwise they'll glare at you and tell you to "move in!" anyway. So it's best to stake out an area with reasonable space to begin with. There are poles at the top of the cars on both MUNI and BART that you can hold.

If it's not crowded but you feel like standing anyway, stand away from the doors that will open at the next stop. You'll just slow down the ride because people will have to negotiate around you to get on and off.

Where to put your bags

If you're sitting, put your bag on your lap or between your feet. If you're standing, put your bag between your feet on the floor or hug it to the front of your body. If it's at all crowded, do not wear your bag so that it protrudes from your side or back. You will end up wacking people and make it harder for people to get on and off if it's at all crowded.

How to stand

You can always tell if someone has never ridden public transit before because they fall over as soon as the train or bus starts moving. Don't embarrass yourself. Keep a slightly wide stance and brace yourself to move. You'll probably want to hold on to a pole. See the photos for some creative ways to avoid directly holding the pole if you're a germaphobe. It should be obvious that you should avoid touching other people at all costs. If it's super crowded, you may be forced into an armpit or back. Just try to angle yourself so that you avoid touching people in especially private areas, or breathing on someone's face.

Bikes, luggage and strollers

You can bring bikes onto BART during most times. Only folding bikes are allowed on within San Francisco (below Embarcadero) during rush hour. When you get on, seat or stand yourself in the openish area near the door, by the map or emergency directions information. Be prepared to move around a fair amount so that you don't get in people's way or sully their clothes. Same deal for people with lots of luggage or strollers, etc.

Special riders

And of course, offer your seat to elderly or pregnant people. They get the prime seats near the front no questions asked. Same goes for the disabled. Note the area reserved for them.

Click on a step and learn how

Step 1 - Get directions and schedules

Step 2 - Find your stop & wait

Step 3 - Pay

Step 4 - Get On

Step 5 - Choose a seat or standing place

Step 6 - Ride

Step 7 - Get Off