The biggest ridership day in BART history – with 522,198 riders – was the Giants' World Series victory parade in 2010.
And with the Giants' having another World Series victory parade today, Oct. 31, BART is preparing for just as many riders if not more, since it's also Halloween, a day when many people come to the city for holiday celebrations. Plus, ridership in general is much higher than it was two years ago.
"BART will be running rush hour service all day utilizing every available train," the transit agency said. "Trains to and from the city will be at maximum length and frequency."
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the foot of Market Street at the Ferry Building and will proceed down Market to take a right on McAllister Street for a rally and celebration at Civic Center Plaza.
The parade "is likely to pull a million fans and admirers to Market Street on Wednesday morning,"according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The same size crowd was estimated at the parade two years ago.
BART urged patrons to arrive early, not depend on station parking if possible, and buy round-trip tickets or use Clipper Cards. Three stations will also have ticket sales tables for the day accepting only cash: Dublin/Pleasanton, Fremont, and Millbrae.
"Be patient and courteous with your fellow riders and everyone will have a better experience," BART said.
Other transit agencies also are boosting capacity.
Driving in the area will be difficult. Muni spokesman Paul Rose said traffic will be blocked from the Civic Center Area and also the sections of Market and Mission streets between the Embarcadero and Ninth Street starting at around 9 a.m. and lasting until about 5 p.m., the Chronicle reported.
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