Deficit-ridden BART hikes fares
By: Mike Aldax
Examiner Staff Writer
May 29, 2009
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| Pricier commute arriving: BART trips of more than six miles will increase by 6.1 percent on July 1. (Examiner file photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — No matter where you go on BART, the trip will cost you more once July 1 rolls around.
The fare hikes, approved Thursday by BART’s Board of Directors, come as the recession-battered transit agency grapples with a $250 million deficit during the next four years.
Riders traveling short distances — generally trips of six miles or less — will be paying 25 cents more per ride, meaning the cheapest fare for the system will be $1.75 once the increases take effect. That includes all trips within San Francisco, between the Balboa Park and Embarcadero stations.
BART users who ride the train for distances greater than six miles will see their fare increase by 6.1 percent. For example, a ride from The Embarcadero to Fremont is currently $5.25. After the fare hike, it will cost $5.60.
On top of price increases, anyone traveling to and from San Francisco International Airport will pay an additional $2.50 for their ticket, making the total surcharge $4. For example, if a person were to ride from The Embarcadero to SFO today, the ticket would be $5.35 each way. On July 1, the fare and surcharge increases will make that same ride cost $8.10.
The SFO increase is the most drastic, but has the least effect on BART riders, said transit agency Director James Fang. Fifty percent of trips to and from SFO are purchased by out-of-town visitors, according to BART.
In addition to fare hikes, the transit agency also agreed to charge for parking at eight East Bay stations.
And while riders are shelling out bigger bucks for BART, they will also likely receive reduced train service in the coming months.
On June 11, the board of directors will decide whether to reduce nighttime and Sunday train service to every 20 minutes from 15 minutes, and to cut Peninsula service to just one route — the Pittsburg-Bay Point line — during those times.
The transit agency said fare hikes are a must in order to operate its 669 trains and 104 miles of track. BART said it nets 60 percent of its operating revenue from ticket sales, but ridership has been on a downward spiral due to the recession. Rising unemployment in the Bay Area is shrinking the morning commute. The transit agency has also endured drastic cuts to state funding and reduced revenue from a portion of regional sales taxes it receives.
“[Like the Titanic], we are headed to an iceberg,” Director Joel Keller said. “Should the minimum fare go up in downtown San Francisco? Probably not. In a better world, we reduce it. The fact is, no one can afford it.”
Even with fare increases and service reductions, BART said it will still be $23 million in the red next fiscal year. The agency is asking its 3,200 employees to agree on new contracts that would trim benefits to help close the remaining deficit. Negotiations with 2,800 union workers are ongoing.
Muni hike exceeds BART’s
Riding Muni buses and streetcars will soon become more expensive than riding BART within city limits.
On July 1, the cost to ride BART between the Balboa Park and Embarcadero stations will increase from $1.50 to $1.75.
On the same day, Muni’s single-ride fare will go from $1.50 to $2.
One benefit to riding Muni rather than BART will be the free transfer and discounted monthly pass.
Neither is offered on BART.
“We look forward to continuing to work with BART to provide convenient and affordable transit service in San Francisco,” Muni spokesman Judson True said.
— Mike Aldax
| Measure | New revenue for BART |
| Increase minimum fare $1.50 to $1.75 | $3.6M |
| Increase SFO surcharge from $1.50 to $4 |
Up to $7.3M |
| Increase fares systemwide by 6.1 percent |
$7.3M |
| Add $1 charge to parking at eight East Bay stations |
$1.4M |
