The Mysterious Power of the BARTmobile

It has been said that its eyes can see through to your soul. Some have speculated it has the power to improve society. Those who cross its path are known to start acting joyfully and sometimes erratically.

We are speaking, of course, about the BARTmobile. pic.twitter.com/Q4iA4nh6sJ

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023

As it rolls down its route, paradegoers will shout at the smiling train as if it were Taylor Swift – “The BARTmobile is here!” In many instances, adults and children alike will dig through their wallets and pull out their Clipper cards to wave them at the mascot’s smiling face. pic.twitter.com/A1ExyzzcgN

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023

Even the Golden State Warriors, during their 2022 Warriors Championship Parade, pointed and cheered at the BARTmobile when it caught their eye along the parade route. pic.twitter.com/TFolqZAu0u

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023

Many months of planning, design, and construction went into the creation of the BARTmobile.

“We went through many iterations,” said Doug Bartlett, who came up with the concept for a BARTmobile. “Some of the drawings were absolutely demonic – like Chucky leading the BARTmobile.” pic.twitter.com/N5PUWvb4Fx

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023

To make the mascot, Bartlett connected with Charlie Bailey of Industrial Light and Magic, the Marin-based visual effects company founded by George Lucas in the 1970s.

“At the time, [Bailey’s] crew was building a massive ship for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie!” pic.twitter.com/Y9EjK2pI1V

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023

The BARTmobile made its official debut in 2004. In the years since, it has appeared at a multitude of major parades, driven more than 250 miles, and been seen by millions of people.

Read more about the story of the BARTmobile at https://t.co/5ZOCowjiB0. pic.twitter.com/CUXhfcO6gI

— BART (@SFBART) March 10, 2023