Bay Area Rapid Transit was clearly moved by how many people it moved Tuesday.
"Thank you @SFBART riders, especially @Athletics fans. Yesterday’s ridership was 189,716. 2nd highest ridership since March 2020," the agency tweeted Wednesday morning.
Thank you @SFBART riders, especially @Athletics fans. Yesterday’s ridership was 189,716. 2nd highest ridership since March 2020.
— BART (@SFBART) June 14, 2023
Those Oakland Athletics fans turned out at the Oakland Coliseum in large numbers as part of a "reverse boycott" intended to make a statement to the Major League Baseball team's ownership as plans to move to Las Vegas continue apace.
The A's logged their seventh straight win, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1, and said they would give all ticket revenue to the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Oakland Public Education Fund.
The A's will donate all ticket revenue from tonight's game to two local community organizations: pic.twitter.com/kalGEry311
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) June 14, 2023
According to BART ridership watch numbers, Tuesday's total was 46% of baseline capacity, surpassing the Wednesday, May 17, 2023, total of 183,304 riders. In tweets Wednesday morning, BART Director Rebecca Saltzman noted that the agency's ridership's post-pandemic peak remains the day of the Warriors championship parade, with 190,519 riders.
❤️❤️❤️🚝🚝🚝⚾️⚾️⚾️
— Rebecca Saltzman (@RebeccaForBART) June 14, 2023
This and the clips from last night’s game make my heart swell. Oakland A’s fans are the most dedicated and passionate.
If the A’s leave it will be tragic for the fans, Oakland, and all of baseball. #SellTheTeam https://t.co/fV4lvocfHp
Wow.
— Rebecca Saltzman (@RebeccaForBART) June 14, 2023
For some context the Warriors championship parade was BART’s highest ridership day, with 190,519 riders.
Dedicated A’s fans rallied a reverse boycott, chanting #SellTheTeam and nearly beat this post pandemic BART ridership record! ❤️🚝⚾️ https://t.co/fV4lvocfHp
Ridership also likely benefited from pop-music group Twice's first show of a two-night stand at the Oakland Arena. Fans of the Billboard chart-topping girl group had been encouraged to ride BART to Tuesday night's concert.
TWICE 5TH WORLD TOUR 'READY TO BE' IN #OAKLAND - DAY 1
— TWICE (@JYPETWICE) June 13, 2023
So happy to be back in Oakland 💗
Let's meet tomorrow for another unforgettable night ✨#TWICE #트와이스 #READYTOBE #TWICE_5TH_WORLD_TOUR pic.twitter.com/z31HwKzGnK
🚨 DUAL EVENT ADVISORY 🚨
— Oakland Arena (@OaklandArena) June 13, 2023
For tonight’s @JYPETWICE concert, it is highly encouraged to take @SFBART to the show!
George Kelly can be reached at gkelly@sfstandard.com