Next Stop: Love - A Journey on BART’s Valentraine
If there’s one thing I love, it’s public transit. If there’s another thing I love, it’s the excitement of a budding romance. So, when I caught wind of BART’s first Valentraine, a Valentine’s Day speed dating event on a BART train, I thought, why not have the best of both worlds?
Upon entering the Downtown Berkeley station, I could already hear the crowd of people this event pulled in. As I made my way down to the boarding area, the line to check in stretched much further down the platform than I had anticipated, where a sea of well-dressed 20 somethings were waiting to hop on the Valentraine. While waiting, I chatted with some fellow attendees, because there is nothing like the bonding, human experience of maneuvering the realm of public transit in a bustling city.
While I was still in line, a UC Berkeley journalist with the voice memo app opened on her phone came up to me. She wanted to know my intentions behind RSVPing for the event - was I looking for some new friends? A Valentine? My next situationship? My answer: All of the above.
My conversation starter card, BART ballpoint pen, and Valentraine sticker (it got beat up in my backpack, still cute though!).
Once checked in, we were sorted into three age groups: 18-21, 22-25, and 26+ (if I’m remembering that correctly). My group’s admin handed me a name tag where I was able to write down my name, pronouns, dating intentions, and sexual orientation. Along with that, I received a raffle ticket, a card with BART-related conversation starters (in case “what do you do?” wasn’t cutting it), a cute Valentine’s Day sticker, and a BART-themed ballpoint pen. Hey, even if I leave here single, at least I leave with these.
After another round of media interviews (Like omg, so much media coverage), we were directed to enter a train car that corresponds to our age group. I sat myself down next to someone I had already chatted with outside, only for everyone in my train car to be instructed to move ourselves to the next car down. A sign of disorganization or a chance to get in some mild cardio? Either way, I kept it pushing. I repositioned myself in an aisle seat, this time with a stranger. We were then briefed on the parameters of the speed dating event: those with a window seat stay seated, and those in the aisle seat get up and find someone new to talk to every three minutes. The train would go from Downtown Berkeley to 24th & Mission and back, a little over an hour-long joyride!
Inside the age 22-25 train car while we were getting briefed on the speed dating guidelines.
As soon as the three-minute timer started, the Valentraine was on the move. The typical BART soundtrack played in the background - wheels screeching, and the occasional rattling of, well I actually don’t know what of. In all honesty, all that combined with 40+ voices talking at once made for a slightly over stimulating experience. But hey, maybe that’s just the nature of speed dating. If you’re able to make a genuine connection in this environment, you may just have true love on your hands.
Most conversations I had consisted of small talk, which, I genuinely adore! Some people rule it off as meaningless yapping, but to me, small talk isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you say it - as the age old saying goes! When you only have three minutes, your charm and charisma go a long way.
About halfway through the ride, the raffle began, and with prizes like a loaded Clipper Card, a BART train plushie, and a tote bag full of BART merch, I was hoping for a win. Alas, fate (and the raffle system) had other plans. Perhaps my true prize was to be found in the journey. Actually, no. I really wanted the Clipper Card.
Raffle time! Congratulations to the winners, I’m only still a little bitter…
As we made our way back to Downtown Berkeley, we were given the chance to revisit someone we hit it off with or to continue on with getting to know someone new. I went with the latter and ended up talking to someone who knows about Club Rambutan. If you’re reading this, hi! You were fabulous.
Once we arrived back at the station, we had the option to keep chatting on the platform or head out for the night. The event had officially come to an end, but the connections, be it romantic or platonic, were just beginning.
This was my first ever speed dating experience, and before this, I never thought I’d enjoy it. But now, consider me a convert! Speed dating is all about connection, conversation, and the simple joy of meeting someone. So, to the BART event organizers, kudos to you. What a unique way to bring people together on Cupid’s big day, and if nothing else, to foster community.
To anyone considering speed dating in the future, hop on board, and see where love’s train takes you.
