Story Dispensers + Writing Contests

A hand holding a short story in front of a dispenser

Since January 2021, BART has offered riders at select stations a side of literature with their commute. In partnership with Short Édition, BART’s Story Dispensers distribute bite-size tales that can be read in one-, three-, or five-minute sittings – about the time it takes for your train to arrive at the station. More than 47,000 stories have been dispensed since installation (as of October 2024). 

The story dispensers are like vending machines for for creative writing and are free to use. The writing is printed on eco-friendly, recyclable paper that ejects from the machine after you hover your finger over a button.

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A woman uses a short story dispenser

The dispensers are funded by BART’s Communications Department and Art Program.

Currently, the five-minute button features poetry written by local youth who participated in the 2024 BART Lines Teen Poetry Contest. Learn more about BART Lines and keep up to date with upcoming contests at bart.gov/bartlines.

 

Story Dispenser Locations

Story dispensers are currently located at:

  • Balboa Park Station
  • Downtown Berkeley Station
  • Fruitvale Station
  • Pleasant Hill Station
  • San Leandro Station (pending installation) 

 

Coming Soon: Short Edition Story Discs

Story discs are digital versions of the dispensers that allow you to access unlimited content for free on a smartphone. They will soon be installed at the following stations: 

  • Daly City   
  • Dublin/Pleasanton   
  • Embarcadero 

 

BART Lines Writing Contests

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BART lines chapbook with flowers behind it

Since 2022, BART Communications and the BART Art Program have hosted two writing contests to celebrate local literary voices and fill our story dispensers with the work of Bay Area writers. 

The first BART Lines contest solicited short stories from adults living in the five counties where BART operates. More than 300 writers submitted their work and thirty winners were selected. 

Two years later, BART hosted a contest for poetry from local teenagers around the theme "Bay is Home." You can read the winning poems in the dispensers by hovering your hand over the 5-minute button or online here. The teens were invited to read at various local events, and their work was compiled into a chapbook, available for purchase on Railgoods.com. 

Keep up to date with events and future contests at bart.gov/bartlines and by following BART’s social media channels.