Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Millbrae Station is the largest intermodal terminal west of the Mississippi River and a major gateway for travelers connecting among Caltrain, BART, local bus services and airport shuttles serving San Francisco International Airport. With roughly 30,000 passengers moving through the station each day, BART sought to prepare the facility for future system growth and enhance its role as a central mobility hub. As part of this expansion effort, STV delivered key design services to support the evolution of this vital regional connection point.
What challenges did STV address?
Millbrae Station needed updated layouts and design concepts to support anticipated increases in ridership while maintaining intuitive passenger flow throughout the facility. The station also holds a prominent civic presence in the community, creating a need for a design approach that reflects its surroundings, strengthens user experience and aligns with nearby architectural influences.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV completed station programming layouts and architectural design bridging documents to guide future improvements. The team created a highly visible and welcoming architectural concept that draws inspiration from nearby structures, including the use of exposed steel to convey lightness and continuity with the adjacent airport environment. These design foundations help position Millbrae Station for long-term expansion while improving functionality and visual appeal.
How does this project benefit the region?
The improvements support a critical multimodal gateway that connects residents, commuters and travelers throughout the Bay Area. By enabling future capacity increases and enhancing the station’s visual identity, the work helps advance seamless regional mobility and enriches the transit experience for tens of thousands of daily users.
Key stats and accolades
- Largest intermodal terminal west of the Mississippi River
- Serves about 30,000 passengers daily
- Design inspired by nearby airport structures
