BART is not a homeless shelter

BART Director Joel Keller wants to pass a law that would make it illegal for individuals to take up more than one seat on the train.

Keller told The Chronicle’s Michael Cabanatuan that the measure is not intended to target homeless people; it’s really aimed at everyone, including “people with backpacks, with luggage, with other things occupying seats.”

BART is experiencing record ridership — which makes BART riders cranky and envious of those who can sit and avoid the human crush.

If a simply inconsiderate passenger is taking up an extra seat for a backpack or luggage, another commuter will ask that person to make room.

The public pays fares to use BART as a conveyance, not to ride in railcars that double as homeless shelters (for which working stiffs also pay).

Once you pay the minimum fare, you can ride all day; some charities give BART tickets to homeless people, ostensibly to help them travel for job interviews or social services.

Last month, I had a sit-down with BART Deputy Police Chief Benson Fairow, as I’ve wondered about what can be done to ease the commute for people who rely on BART to get to work or school.

When you get off BART at the Civic Center and Powell Street stations, you see people sleeping in de facto encampments in hallways — and the platforms stink of urine.