BART trains so crowded, passengers asked to remove backpacks especially during Super Bowl Week

Faced with overcrowded trains, BART launched a public service message campaign to encourage riders to take their backpacks off to make more room for those standing on cars. This train was nearing the end of the Richmond line, when the car had emptied out enough to get a clear photograph of BART's new poster. Backpacks are encouraged to be held lower when there is standing room only, but obviously not an issue when there are plenty of empty seats as shown in this shot. This passenger had his backpack off earlier in the train ride before donning it to exit the car. Photo from February 3rd, 2016. less Faced with overcrowded trains, BART launched a public service message campaign to encourage riders to take their backpacks off to make more room for those standing on cars. This train was nearing the end of the ... more Photo: Brandon M. Mercer Photo: Brandon M. Mercer Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close BART trains so crowded, passengers asked to remove backpacks especially during Super Bowl Week 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

It never fails. You manage to get one of the last seats on BART. The aisles fill up, with someone standing next to you. Then suddenly, he turns and a 40-pound backpack with a laptop, water bottles, phone chargers and what smells like aftershave hits you in the back of the head.

Yes, BART trains are crowded. Especially during Super Bowl Week, which just logged one of the busiest ridership days of all time.

And they're so crowded, there's really no room for a giant backpack hanging off your torso. That is space needed for fellow passengers to squeeze in.

"Make Room" is the name of the new public service message campaign, with "car cards" advising passengers to "Remove your backpack when standing in crowded trains."

"We know the trains are crowded. We get daily ridership reports and we ride the trains ourselves," James Allison, from BART communications, told SFGATE via email.

"Our message is a friendly reminder to ask everyone to share the space and make as much room as possible for growing ridership," Allison added.

BART kindly asks that you remove your pack, and place it at your feet, freeing up more space for people to breathe. Feet are skinnier than shoulders, so it makes sense, there's more room down there for your backpacks.

I tried it. It felt very awkward.

With my backpack on the floor, I had to keep my feet around it, lest someone trip.

Then, as other passengers crowd on, you have to awkwardly lean over or crouch to scooch the bag.

I think, as the picture shows, you're supposed to hold it. Mine is a bit heavy to hold with all that laptop, water bottle, phone chargers, and um, aftershave. (Okay, not really on the aftershave, but I do have a jacket, shopping bag, "man purse," large pocket knife, tool kit, notepad, mini telescope, and a harmonica in the key of D).

For security, I was worried someone could run off with it.

I considered wrapping it around my leg, so it was secured. That seemed like a bad idea as folks muscled their way in, with their own bulging backpacks. I picked it up again.

When asked how has compliance been, Allison admitted, "No way to measure compliance. It's a suggestion, not a rule."

Seeing all the passengers clearly ignoring the sign as they stood in front of it, I wondered, what message BART would want to share with folks who don't care about the concept and plan to wear it anyway?

Allison answered with all politeness and patience, "That is certainly their choice but the overall concept is to promote an atmosphere of community and common courtesy."

Agreed. Everyone can help with that.

As for ditching those wimpy 6-car trains for more 10-car trains?

"We are running long trains all day long through Monday for Super Bowl crowds. We have been running mostly 10-car trains during commute periods since September. We cannot run trains longer than 10 cars because our platforms were only built to accept 10-car trains. New train cars are currently expected to be in service later this year."

Check the gallery above for examples of the signs, and a list of the least and most crowded BART stops.