BART to model 'Fleet of Future' rail car for public

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will set up a full-scale mock-up of its new "Fleet of the Future" rail cars for the public to view this week at the MacArthur Station in Oakland, Calif.

The agency built a plywood model to provide riders a sense of proportion of the new cars and the possible configuration of seats, and placement of bike racks and handholds. Those touring the model will be asked to fill out a survey to submit opinions, BART officials said in a press release.

In 2012, BART's board approved a $3.1 billion plan to purchase 1,000 new rail cars to replace its existing fleet. The agency chose Bombardier Transit Corp. to build the cars. The plan calls for 10 pilot cars to be ready for testing in 2015, manufacturing to begin in 2016 and the first cars to enter service in 2017.