Nice town ..Berkeley ..sunny quiet ..depends ..charm ..college campus ..high school work ..what ..China maybe haha next life ..no idea

Date: 1/14/2020 12:54 PM 55° Clear The last time I got off at the Ashby Station was over 40 years ago. I ride BART, but not everyday. I'm more of an AC passenger if I have to rely on public transportation. Today I was meeting up with a high school classmate of mine for lunch in Berkeley. Ashby BART, 1:00 PM, corner of Martin Luther King Jr Way and Ashby. This station is okay...eerily quiet. I don't know what it is, but I had the "heebie, jeebie" in this station. It seems as though very few people use this station to ride BART to their destination. I usually can find the exit, but I got somewhat twisted in trying to get to the upper level to exit this station. Once I exited to the parking lot, I wasn't sure which direction to head to the meeting corner. I'm glad that my classmate called me to see where I was. Then there was a stranger (and a gentleman at that) who happened to be walking in the parking lot. He was headed in the same direction of my destination. I asked if I could walk along with him. He said okay. I thanked him for helping me out. When my classmate dropped me off, she told me to be careful and vigilant of my surroundings. The return trip on BART to Downtown Oakland from this station was somewhat weird. I had some guy standing about three feet to the left of me talking to himself - about breaking a leg. I did not feel comfortable because there was hardly anybody on the platform but two other people. I believe the next time I meet her for lunch in Berkeley, she can pick me up from the North Berkeley Station, which is a better and cleaner station. read more

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I don't usually write reviews on Bart station however, Ashby Station is one of the exceptions. I like how clean the station is and how friendly the station agents were. ( They normally look like they're mad at the world.). The parking can sometimes be a challenge, keep in mind Bart charges to park during the weekday and no parking fee weekends or holidays, so if you need to park on the weekend get to the station early and keep in mind the Berkeley Flea Market occupies half of the Ashby station parking lot on Saturday's until I believe 2pm. Ashby station is one of the many stations, I feel safe going to. I've never had strangers approach me or anything like that nor have I seen anyone just hanging around the station not even at night. There is always a Bart officer on site. I was heading to San Francisco, I caught the Warm Springs train (since the actual San Francisco train was a 5 cart train and full of course.)and the train was clean and didn't smell like urine. Now Transferring to MacArthur Bart station to get to San Francisco is a whole other story and for another review at another time. I rate Ashby Bart 4 stars. I must be one of the lucky few who have had a good experience at this particular station. read more

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I know that this station has gotten short shrift from people because of a lack of safety and other things. But this station is quite good in my book. I have parked my car here a few times and it was fine. I think it's probably one of the smallest stations. To me, the biggest draw for years was the flea market on the weekends. The guys playing drums out there were cool, and yes one time I started spontaneously dancing, something I've never done before (nor since). But even that is a shell of what it used to be. read more

Pro tip: Always have $1-5 bills when traveling on BART. The Add Fare and Parking machines only accept $1-5 bills inside the turnstiles. No credit debit cards. I just was having a conundrum to pay. In and out finding the change machine only found outside of the turnstiles. Short story, I paid my fare twice. The ever helpful Station Agent, Ash, scanned my Clipper Card, found my charges, and issued me a round trip voucher. Say what you want about BART's employees. My recent experiences are five stars! read more

I haven't been on a subway train since like 1989 in Chicago when I was little. My husband suggested we take the BART to SF on a saturday and I'm totally glad I did. At first I thought it was going to be a hassle not having a car but it was way easier than driving. We got on the train on ashby and got off somewhere near union square and I think it took us less than 20 minutes to get there. It was a little crowded but I adjusted well. Coming back to Berkeley was even faster and our little car was intact, which was a relief. So in a nutshell I'm definitely doing this again! read more

Great station that is clean for the most part. Enjoy the sounds of the Jazz guy playing- almost every day. Parking is free after 3pm! read more

BART - Ashby Station - Pretty safe parking lot. Still, no valuables. - Public Transportation Near Me - Berkeley, California

Yes, Ashby BART is not super clean (I haven't seen the restrooms, but would rather use the bushes than venture into any BART station restroom. Truth be told, I actually didn't even know they had restrooms!). It's not in a great area, but I've NEVER felt in danger or been accosted by anybody and I've been there at all times from early, early in the morning to late, late at night. Parking can be crazy if you are using BART as your commute during the day. Unless you buy a Permit parking pass (~$100/mo?) forget about getting a parking place here or across the street in its overflow parking lot after 8:00 a.m. on the weekdays. I got here once at 8:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and was SOL in both lots. I ended up driving to my 9:00 a.m. appointment in Downtown Oakland. Ashby BART ranks in the lower echelons of BART stations, sure. Maybe the Lake Merritt or Civic Center BART might be seedier. But it serves the purpose, that is, to get you from Point A to B cheaply and quickly. Winning! :) read more

Who are all of these wussies writing reviews? Geez. Grow a set, would you? It's a BART station, not a night at the opera. That's the thing about PUBLIC transportation...you've got to deal with the public. Oh, no! It's not the suburbs! Eek! A rat! In an urban environment ideal for their living condition! Oh LAWD! A person of color asked me to buy a Street Sheet! Mommy! No, you can't have a cigarette. Oh my GAWD someone SPOKE to me! You know, you can always rent a Prius from City Car share and drive your little scaredy-cat ass around town instead. They have cars right in the Ashby parking lot if you're brave enough to traipse through the working class riff raff to get to them. It's BART, deal with it. It's a great location and has the flea market every weekend. What are you whining about? It's South Berkeley, not the Iron Triangle or Murder Dubs. Sheesh. read more

omg. I had to sit in the passenger pick-up zone and wait for a ride for like ten minutes around 7.15p on a Thursday night and I found myself texting everybody in my contacts to tell them my whereabouts in case they never heard from me again. Creepiness abounds in all shapes and sizes and is not shy. Ewww. Aside: Apparently the official line of this station is *Hey, can I have one of your smokes?* #1) Yeah, Sure. Need a light? No sweat. #2) Umm, no, share the one I gave your girlfriend one second ago. #3) Really? share with your friend who's sharing with his girlfriend. #4) Really, seriously? No. #5) Ok, if you promise you're the last one who asks. #6) No. #7) omg. No. #8) No response necessary as I had since inserted earbuds with some choice interpol to make those asking nonexistent. Seriously, I've not been asked for smokes so often from random people in the City in the last year (not counting friends who quit.... umm *buying*) than I was at this station in ten minutes. read more

Ode to my bike seat Once I had a bike seat It was attached to my bike Then someone took it And sold it to the guy who sells bikes In the Ashby lot on Sundays Then that guy sold it to someone else And now the seat is gone I loved that seat We went everywhere together We were inseparable And now, we're separated If you think my ode is a simple metaphor for life, it is. But it also really happened. It's not Ashby's fault. But then again, who is Ashby? Okay, I googled him and found out he was apparently some failed gold prospector from Massachusetts. So, fuck Ashby. Anyway, back to my point: you can take the SFO Milbrae or the Fremont trains to get into San Francisco from here. If you take Fremont, change at MacArthur for the airport bound train. On the way home, I only take the late BART. So I hop on the Pittsburgh Bay Point line and get the timed transfer at 19th street Oakland. Not sure how it works at other times but you can do it. I believe in you. Follow my instructions and keep your wits about you and you should be fine. And get a Clipper Card goddamn it. read more

Consider the Ashby BART station is the Southern Gateway to the People's Republic of Berkeley. It's kind of like getting off at one of the Mission BART stations in SF, except the food and cultural choices are much better over there. But if you're here for the Ashby Flea Market and some really "interesting" local residents (and the self righteous enablers), you've come to the right place. read more

Wow to be a kid again! Haven't ridden the BART in almost three decades! Ashby was my regular station, between going to church and Saturday trips to the Berkeley Flea Market in the Ashby BART parking lot. We are able to secure a parking space right near the entrance which was awesome since we'd be gone several hours. My mom and I were headed to SF for the evening and decided to take BART. Ashby was always the best station to use, some things never change! As I approached the actual station familiarity of the 80's came flooding back as I recalled countless visits to the Ashby station. It was fairly clean to be a heavy foot traffic station. The inside of the station looked primarily the same with exception of ticket purchases being all but cashless and automated, and my needing a crash course on how to purchase a ticket lol. A friend had warned us to be cautious with our purses and cell phones but I didn't observe any people are things that would raise concern. Thanks for the memories and I'll see you soon, Ashby Station! read more

Sean Penn's "The Crossing Guard" - a moody piece of filmmaking starring Jack Nicholson as a vengeful father. Ashby BART Station's Crossing Guard (at the corner of Ashby & MLK) - a cheery lady that implores passers-by to "have a great day" and infects you with cheeriness with her winsome smile. She merits 5 stars all her own, and just brings up this station's overall rating. Inside, the station is pretty much the opposite of cheerful; words like rundown, utilitarian, and charmless come to mind. I know BART stations are by nature rather bland, but this one especially is the kind that one passes through only out of necessity and convenience. read more

I used to live across the street from a crack house only a block and a half from this station. Yup- 6 years later, It's still a crack house. Went to take my cousin and her friend on a "campus tour," and figured I'd swing by my old 'hood over on Otis street. Still the same thugs out front, vending... you guessed it, crack. At least the man living in our apartment complex parking lot with his two pitbulls is gone... boy, that shady dude always made me feel really uncomfortable. This BART is so ghetto, that one day I was walking toward the entrance with my sister when I spied two squirrels playing in one of the [plant-free] planters. "Look at the squirr..." but before I had a chance to finish my sentence, we both looked directly and realized that it was actually two gigantic rats duking it out over territory. The good side... close to crack houses, filth, and rats, but it means I'm one step even closer to San Fran. Ashby BART, here I come... read more

It's not the prettiest Bart Station but I think it's way better and way cleaner than the Civic Center or Mission Bart stations. I definitely feel safer at Ashby than when I'm waiting outside West Oakland Bart. I usually hang right by the Yummy Hotdog stand if I'm waiting for someone...plus who doesn't want to inhale the delicious savory scent of hotdogs? It's a calorie free delight! Minus star because the Bart Police at this station didn't respond quick enough when I complained to the attendant that some creepy dude grabbed me by the arm. Thank God it was during rush hour so I was able to run away and blend with the other commuters. Another minus star for the gross bathroom. How can you use it if you're too afraid to touch anything inside? But I guess if you were desperate to use the bathroom, you can't be picky could you? Just don't go here alone late at night because there's not too many commuters around. There's more people at the Downtown Berkeley (Shattuck) and MacArthur Bart stations in the evening so they're a bit safer. read more

One of the ghettos Bart stations - probably not the most ghetto but it sure makes the list. I came here with my friend to take the Bart to the city. Super super super gross! This place is as dirty as it can be , can't imagine what the bathrooms look like. The place and elevators smells like pee everywhere which makes you think twice about touching anything. The people that work here are on their phones and don't want to help you. You always feel like you have to watch your back in this place. There are the occasional homeless people walking around and people who are on drugs. Then you have the ghetto black people who are on drugs. Once you are down waiting for your Bart train to come its not any better. Occasional creepy people looking around, and horrible smells. Avoid this place if you can, late at night or make sure you are around people that rather normal. Parking in this place is also a hassle & have cars have been victims to break ins. Avoid if you can. read more

BART is a holy place. When you go there in the mornings, you will find pilgrims handing out copies of sacred tracts, sitting in their folding chairs while sharing the good news. Surely, I missed that injunction in the Bible "Yea, go ye unto the BART station and spread the good tidings of the Lord to the heathen hordes riding the trains." On weekend afternoons, the western parking lot turns into a flea market filled with incense, imported African crafts, bales of athletic socks, T-shirts, used posters, hand-made soap, Bob Marley inspired textiles, and some garage sales that got lost and washed up on the shores of BART. Plus some food that I haven't sampled yet, but smells pretty damn good. Once you've descended the escalator into the yellow light of the subterranean platform, you'll notice that this station is not only cleaner than most topside, but also down below. The ubiquitous odor of urine that the visually challenged can normally count on to locate any BART station is absent here (except for outside under the southeastern overhang). Remember that you'll have to transfer at MacArthur station during off-peak hours to ride into the city, and that parking is no longer free. Strangely, none of the locals are picketing over this fact...yet. Alas, your bicycle is not safe here. Unless your seat and both tires are securely locked and blessed by the hajji inside, only your bicycle frame will be there waiting for you when you get back. A little snack stand is often parked on the sidewalk near the western exit. The BART attendants have fallen under the holy spell of the proselytizers and have always been kind. Please note the recent addition of a special gate for wheel chair users, which is also handy for cyclists. read more

For the record, this is my first time using the BART system. However, I grew up in Chicago and am very used to subways and public transit systems. That being said, this was one of the most filthy, disgusting, unpleasant stations I have ever been at on any public transportation system. I took the BART from San Francisco International towards Emeryville, where I was staying for work, and the only two stations close to the hotel were Ashby and MacArthur, and I should have known it was going to be bad. As the train ride progressed, I noticed a lot of the more normal looking and acting people were getting off, and as we got towards Ashby, there were a lot of shady characters on the train. Nobody messed with me on the train, which was nice. But the second I got off, I immediately felt uncomfortable. Panhandlers everywhere, people trying to give you their CDs and demos, putting them in your hands then requesting money, homeless people following people everywhere. And the best part? The cops that were there overseeing everything didn't seem to care whatsoever. They just stayed away and watched. Station is dirty, smells, and I barely saw any kind of staff there. The ONLY plus side? Plenty of cabs were sitting out front for a quick escape. I would never feel comfortable parking a car here, or even coming to this stop at night. I can't imagine how a lone woman would feel in a place like this. If you're reading this, I would highly recommend going to a different station if possible. read more

Wow. This place is bad. Of all BART stations (and I've been to most of them), I'd say that this one makes me feel the LEAST safe (poor lighting and no police presence), not to mention the least clean. Also, it smells. Also, as others have mentioned, it's poorly marked from the outside, and easy to miss. It's too bad, because the design of the interior is actually quite attractive. Don't stop here unless it's daylight and you really have to. read more

I dont understand all these horrible reviews from people not familiar with this station. Have you never been to the mission or civic center or are you just familiar with your semi-clean end of the line Fremont station? I'm a Bay Area Transplant that has already been to every single Bart stop except Richmond and Pittsburg and can tell you that if you're complaining about Ashby BART then you might as well be pointing the finger at the whole BART system. There all the same! Sure this Station is due for a remodel but that doesn't necessarily make it horrible. The Neighborhood that surrounds the station is nice. read more

How is it that 50% of the time I ride Bart there is some type of delay? Isn't it on a track that goes in one direction and then back in the same direction? Worst ran public transportation ever. I bet they increase prices again next year. read more

In a bad part of town. I have seen a Kryptonite U-lock at this station that someone cut right in half to steal a bike. Other than that caveat, basically your standard BART station I guess... read more

BART - Ashby Station - Watch out locking up your bike here! I found a Kryptonite U-lock that someone had managed to cut in half! - Public Transportation Near Me - Berkeley, California

I little bit of a dreary place, but not the worst station in the system by any means. They have two elevators to the platform, so the risk of not being able to get down there if you need one is 50% reduced. They have a food vendor out in front that sells who-knows-what, but people have been eating it and they show up at the BART station every day. I don't know if they ride BART, but they love that food cart. Don't come here on a Saturday or Sunday unless you either A) really like drum circles or B) love the smell of cheap incense. Oh Berkeley Flee market. My favorite part about this BART station is that I get to pass Erline the crossing guard on the corner of Ashby and MLK. During the school year, she wishes everyone who passes a "Good morning" and "God bless." She also yells at you if you jaywalk or run through the crosswalk. Highlight of my morning. They don't make them like that anymore. read more

I'm thankful that this is my home station. It's clean and never creepy no matter what time of day you go. read more

BART - Ashby Station - Public Transportation Near Me - Berkeley, California

Is that piss on the ground, or are you just happy to see me? The Southeast corner of the Ashby Bart station smells like a patch of carpet that's been frequented by incontinent brandy drinker. I mean my lord! Somebody else mentioned this exact spot--perhaps they are the one who can't control themselves around a thimble full, if you know what I mean. The smell wafts up the stairs to the street practically. Perhaps the blind midget that is in charge of cleaning up the platform in the station on Mondays is in charge of that corner as well. One would imagine that nature around this time of year would do something about the icky sticking around.....But, alas, it's not to be. And what's up with the mannequins handing out their freaky religious tracts in the station? These people look like they've been popping too many OxyContins, all smiles and hand-thrusted-out-clenching-their-cheaply-printed-lamb-porn. How about some separation of church and station! As for the Bart itself--remarkably, my train is on time just about every single day. This is quite feat, even with the limited route/ lines that Bart runs. The trains are another story. I mean, carpet? When I first saw this I pledged to never sitdown, especially after I saw some deranged homeless person, who looked pretty steeped, if you get my drift, passed out on one of the benches. After he was miraculously roused at his stop by the subtle and distinct lurching of the train at this particular station (perhaps), he deboarded the train, and some lady in a skirt sat down right where he had been pasting his germs and whatnot, completely oblivious!? Gross. In any case, I have subsequently sat down. Other Con(s): Taxis are usually around, but I only ever see them on the East side of the station. Interesting buskers. Other Pro(s): There is a sticky turnstile to the left that tries to nip at me occasionally when exiting. Paying to Park? $1? What's the point? read more

OMG Guys this is the best freaking thing ever!! I came here for lunch and was slightly disappointed when I gave the guy sitting next to the entrance my money and he didn't let me have a sip of his brown-bag. BUT WAIT! I put some money in a machine and got a little piece of paper and...HOLY S**T! You can go downstairs and there's this CRAZY ride where you get on a slightly smelly train and ride around the bay!! 3 words: Holy Alligator Balls. read more

I recently visited the UC Berkeley Ed Roberts campus at the Ashby Bart station. The Ed Roberts Campus has a mission to ensure that people with disabilities can live independently and without discrimination. Located at a fully accessible Ashby Bart transit hub, the Ed Roberts Campus is a national and international model dedicated to disability rights and universal access. The Ed Roberts Campus commemorates the life and work of Edward V. Roberts, an early leader in the independent living movement of persons with disabilities. Ed believed in the strength of collaborative efforts: He called it "working toward our preferred future." read more

It tells me I'm getting my day started. It tells me I'm home. Had some old dude in a car yell at me after he stopped at the crosswalk because he had the right of way. Not fun at night. Really not fun in day. Not sure if BART police is the cure. read more

I went to the Ashby Stage the other day and got off at Ashby station. The station itself is easy enough to navigate. Signage was easy find. I'd never been to this station before so was a little disoriented exiting the station, but found a sign pointing me to Ashby and found my way. There's not much around here, so make sure you know where you're going since there isn't much to explore in the area. read more

I wouldn't come here at night all alone, but day time I feel pretty safe. It's decent in terms of cleanliness, however when comparing it to others in the East Bay, it's not my favorite. Just like any other station, if you're riding alone, just be aware of your surroundings. read more

I had never used this BART station until yesterday. (See my BART list for my definition of "use" vis-a-vis BART stations.) I was surprised by how small it is. When you just see it from the train, it seems like it will be larger. It has a total lack of signs from street level, which is idiotic for an underground BART station, especially one that's not physically on the street it's named after. As a place to wait for a train, it's cool. It reminds me of a European something or other. Not quite a European train station, but something like it. read more

This is my favorite Berkeley Bart stations out of the two. It's clean, not so many creepy people are here when I'm here. I always find myself loving places with terrible parking situations, but this is the Bay Area and so I guess I should be de to such terrible parking conditions. read more

I dont love the station, but its close to my house, so I use it a lot. It's dirty and sometimes the turnstiles dont work. There are always people panhandling outside. On top of that, I just got my bike stolen there.- TODAY... I wonder why Bart has decided to not have security cameras around that station. However, on the bright side, I havent been mugged or robbed of my wallet. Yet. read more

The station is right next to Ed Robert's Campus if you are looking for disability related resources or looking to take any classes. A star for the location and convenience for this campus. I haven't used any of the Ashby station's restrooms. Truth be told with what I have experienced riding Bart during rush hour makes me hesitate to do so. Every time I would go here to meet my friend (R.I.P.) and we would take Bart to go to dinner, we would hit rush hour. I don't know who I offended in the previous life but we would always have the unfortunate luck of being near a small group of hipster hippies who hopped on the last minute. It would only take two or three of them to stink up half of the car with the undeniable smell of B.O. with a hint of grass. It is even worse during the summer. To the Hipster Hippies on Ashby Bart: Come on guys, I get that you want to be closer to Mother Nature and stuff but can't you look into this issue? Perhaps a combination of peppermint oil and baking soda might suffice? I sometimes can't tell if the reason I always see your hair in what looks like poorly constructed dreadlocks is because that's how you do your hair or if the lack of washing has caused it to fuse with dirt and stick together in clumps. I dunno but if you can at least do something about the marinated armpits, I would appreciate it since it will make the ride more bearable. read more

The setup here KILLS me. The station platform is extremely long, but they only have entrances and exits in the center. The walk to the entrance adds 5 minutes to my commute. You should be able to enter and exit the at both the north AND south ends of Ashby station. They need to build out entrances/exits at Adeline and Ashby Ave as well as Adeline and Fairvew St. F#$%!!! read more

This has always been my least favorite station on BART. And I've been riding BART since the mid-80s. I'm used to the unsavory characters that accost you in the Berkeley and San Francisco stations. But I think they limit themselves above ground. I've always thought the station agents in the other stations did a pretty good job at yelling at them from harrassing the tourists for money at the ticket machines. For this station, you go down from street level and it seems like they are lying in wait to harrass you for $ outside of the station. It's been 5 boyfriends ago since I have last been at the Ashby flea market that's held in the parking lot of this station on weekends. And there is usually a percussion jam session going on at this station. The platform lighting is still rather dark, despite the natural lighting that tries to come in from street level. I was initially going to give this place 2 stars. But the renovations that were made recently improved the signage considerably. read more

The station is clean and straightforward, the drop off points are convenient, the escalator usually works, it saves a little time over Downtown Berkeley if you're going south. BART itself is pretty good for the areas it serves. It takes about 30 minutes to downtown SF and when you have to change trains, they are synchronized (finally) so you just walk across the MacArthur station platform. Other transfers are more of a pain but still, decent. It takes me almost exactly an hour to get from Ashby to the San Francisco Airport stop, which is way less time than driving and parking. read more

Can any bart station be rated four or five stars? Bart does a decent job of keeping these spots clean. This is despite the gross human pigeons that make the front stoop their bathroom, bedroom, begging grounds. I do think Bart has a long way to go. Id rather has a crappy NYC subway station though than the unreliable, limited track Bart. Ashby does look better than most other bart stations. read more

First time using the BART System And Ed the employee was such a huge help! If you need help and has questions see Ed! Very diverse area with a variety of people but most everyone we encountered was helpful on how to get around and which trains to take. read more