(Photo by Thomas Hawk)

The Metro board will consider implementing new regulations Thursday that would allow the sale of food and drinks on Metro property. The vendors would not be allowed beyond Metro fare gates, but could use areas outside the fare gates to set up shop and sell their wares, according to the recommendations set to be presented Thursday. WTOP was the first to report on the potential rule change on Wednesday.

The proposal would update Metro’s property use regulations, which haven’t been changed since 2008, despite the board approving several new uses of Metro land since then. Last year, for example, the board decided to approve the sale of food and drink at Metro parking facilities on weekends and holidays.

The update would capture that change, and also seek to expand it: food could be sold on Metro property on weekdays as well, and it wouldn’t be limited just to parking facilities.

“In emerging submarkets, farmers markets and other such retail may best be suited for weekdays, when employees and other patrons in the station area seek services and food options. Also, these activities may not be best accommodated on Metro parking facilities, as Metro has several large areas outside its Metrorail stations that are underutilized,” the presentation reads. “Therefore, staff seeks greater flexibility as to when and where Metro permits the sale of food and drink. Staff recommends permitting the sale of food and drink to areas outside the Metrorail stations’ paid area, thereby allowing the sale of food and drink in locations appropriate for retail and community activity, not only on Metro’s parking facilities.”

The presentation says that Metro gets requests from companies and organizations to set up farmers markets on weekdays, and to “organize pop-up retail” on Metro land. The move would allow them to take advantage of more such requests and increase revenue streams.

But if you do buy food from a vendor on Metro property, keep in mind: you’re still not allowed to eat it on the train. Metro does not allow food or drink on its transit system—in fact, people have gotten arrested over eating on the system in the past.