10AM Does Not Mean 9:55AM

So I am currently sitting in the parking lot at North Concord BART waiting for my train, which is some 90 minutes away because with fuel prices what they are I am not driving home after going to a few appointments only to turn around and drive back. What better way to kill some time than sit in a parking lot.

I’ll be honest, I don’t like walking from the BFE parking area (lower lot) on a daily basis, but at 10AM, the ‘Reserved Parking’ (carpool parking) opens up to midday parking and anyone can use it. Usually you are required to have a permit in order to use the carpool spots before 10AM.

About 10 minutes before the top of the hour a black and white from BART Police rolls up at the aisle behind me. Out steps a female officer with a handful of tickets and she starts walking up and down the aisle, taking down license plate numbers and placing them on cars and trucks that had just arrived. So I quickly got out my “official” BART Parking Pass (not good for ANY lot) and placed it in a highly visible place. She write about 15 tickets and then walked back, this time in front of me telling everyone who was in or around their cars they could go.

I guess that is why they have those signs, guess this morning’s commute might cost a few individuals at North Concord a few extra bucks on top of their BART ticket. I am sure this is a daily event and either this officer or another just like her rolls up at many of the lots prior to 10AM looking to provide a “community service.” Respect the signs, just prior to when the restricted areas open up and you will be just fine.