A Retired BART Car Is Being Turned Into A Pizza Shop In The East Bay

HAYWARD, CA — When an old fleet of BART cars was taken out of rotation in the Bay Area four years ago, officials gave members of the public a chance to submit proposals on what to do with them.

Earlier this month, officials announced that one of those 50-year-old cars was getting a newfound lease on life — operating as a pizza shop.

Joel DiGiorgio, co-founder and co-owner of Arthur Mac's, a by-the-slice pizzeria and beer garden in the East Bay, was selected as one of the recipients of the car.

With it, he'll be establishing an Arthur Mac's in Downtown Hayward.

"This is like a dream come true," DiGiorgio said earlier this month in a collaboration video with BART. "The idea is that you're going to be able to kind of mimic that true BART experience, but now with pizza and beer in your hand."

The cars hold a lot of nostalgia and memories for people like DiGiorgio, who grew up in the East Bay during the 90s.

The pizzeria owner recalled riding the old train cars from Oakland to San Francisco, where he'd skate famous spots with friends near Embarcadero.

"To me, the BART train system represents freedom," DiGiorgio said. "It really is the connective tissue of the Bay Area."

It's unclear exactly when the new shop will open. DiGiorgio suggests it could be either end of the summer or early fall.

"This is going to be a game changer in Downtown Hayward," Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas said. "Families and kids will come to Downtown Hayward to go to the movies and go grab a bite to eat at Arthur Mac's in the BART car."

Arthur Mac's has locations in Oakland and Emeryville. The Hayward location would give it its third across the East Bay.