Riders will pay for BART budget deficit
By: Will Reisman
Examiner Staff Writer
January 23, 2009
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| BART is weighing higher fares and parking fees. (Examiner file photo) |
OAKLAND — BART’s budget deficit is likely to cost you.
Fare increases of as much as 10 percent and higher fees at parking lots are a few of the options BART’s board of directors are considering, as the agency copes with a projected $90 million budget deficit during the next two years.
Officials met Thursday in Oakland to hear ideas on how to make up the deficit, which is largely attributed to the struggling economy. No decisions were made, though, and the transit agency won’t consider specific measures until at least next month.
A significant portion of BART’s funding comes from local sales tax, which has dipped during the recession, and from state transportation funds, which are likely to be withheld by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
To make up for the projected shortfall — which is listed at $35 million for the 2009 fiscal year and $45 million to $55 million for the 2010 fiscal year — the agency has suggested a series of revenue enhancements and service cuts.
One proposal calls for increasing ticket fares by as much as 10 percent. That increase would come on top of a regularly scheduled 5.5 percent raise that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010. As part of its statute, BART raises its ticket prices every two years based on Consumer Price Index.
If both increases are implemented, it could cost $1.74 to travel within San Francisco on BART, up from the current $1.50.
As a way to help placate the concerns of riders who will be traveling during tough economic times, BART Director James Fang said the transit agency should rescind the increases not related to CPI in a few years, once the economic climate has improved.
Along with fare increases, BART hopes to save money by reducing service intervals on trains from 15 to 20 minutes and extending its current hiring freeze, along with raising fees to park in lots.
BART staff suggested a $1 increase at lots and a $1 charge for parking on weekends and off-business hours — times that are normally free. The latter suggestion was met with resistance by the directors Thursday.
Prices for the parking lots at BART stations vary, with West Oakland being the costliest, at $5, Daly City being one of the least expensive, at $2, and a host of East Bay stations that charge $1. Colma is also $1.
One idea from Director Tom Radulovich calls for varying pricing at the lots based on demand, and called for charging passengers extra to park their car at BART stations during busy travel times.
“If the parking lots are full, we’re not charging enough,” Radulovich said.
BART is exploring ways to make up for lost budget funding in the next two fiscal years.
| Money generated 2009 | Money generated 2010 | |
| 5 cent ticket surcharge | $0.7 million | $4 million |
| 10 cent ticket surcharge | $1.3 million | $7.9 million |
| 5.5 percent fare increase | $0.9 million | $5.5 million |
| 10 percent fare increase | $3.2 million | $14 million |
| $1 parking fee increase | $1.3 million | $3 million |
| $1 parking charge on weekends | $0.8 million | $1.9 million |
| $1 parking charge during off-peak hours | $0.2 million | $0.5 million |
Source: BART
