OAKLAND — Looking for a short-term solution to ease crush-loads during peak commute hours, BART’s governing board on Thursday voted to remove seven seats on more than half of its fleet to relieve overcrowding. The move follows a pilot program initiated in May, when the agency removed seven to eight seats on 60 of its train cars to test configurations that would provide more standing room, and hopefully, allow more people to squeeze into each car. One seat provides enough room for about three people to stand, said Paul Oversier, the agency’s assistant general manager for operations.

BART’s board generally lauded the idea, saying it was the most cost-effective way to provide short-term relief while the agency prepares to roll out its new fleet, which also features cars with fewer seats and more standing room.

“Increased capacity is on its way, but it’s not here yet,” said Director Robert Raburn. “We have to do something.”

Only Director Joel Keller spoke against the plan, saying that staff had not solicited input from enough riders, and challenging staff’s assumptions that removing seats could increase the agency’s fare revenue by packing more people onto trains.

“I’m not convinced that taking out a bunch of seats is going to do anything to deal with (overcrowding),” Keller said. “This will further alienate long-distance riders who provide the majority of revenue for the district.”

The agency plans to modify 10 cars per week, and it will pay for the nearly $1.7 million project primarily with a $1.5 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.