OAKLAND — BART riders will soon have to pay more to ride.
The 5.5 percent increase — meaning rates will increase an average of 25 cents, from $4.47 to $4.72 — takes effect on New Year’s Day.
“We understand that fare increases are never welcome, but BART fares remain a vital funding source even with ridership lower than before the pandemic,” said BART Board Vice Chairman BART administration, Mark Foley, in the press release. “My colleagues on the Board of Directors and I voted in June 2023 to spread the necessary rate increases over two years rather than making them up all at once. At the same time, we voted to increase the Clipper START means-based discount from 20 to 50 percent to help those who need it most.
Even with the fare increase, BART expects a $35 million deficit for fiscal 2026, and transit officials say it will reach a staggering $385 million over the course of the year. fiscal year 2027. BART officials say the deficit is due in part to declining ridership during the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of rebound since as remote work has become more prevalent.
In addition to increasing fares, BART has reduced expenses by implementing a service schedule that reflects declining ridership and running shorter trains.
This is the second time BART has increased fares by 5.5%; the first increase was initiated on the first day of this year.
The rate increase is expected to raise about $14 million a year for operations. Combined with the January 1, 2024 fare increase, BART will bring in $30 million annually. The agency says the money is used to fund rail service, improved cleaning, additional police and unarmed security personnel and capital projects, such as installing new fare gates.
The inflation-based rate increase program dates back to 2004, when the agency decided to raise prices every two years at a rate below inflation. BART said that despite the increase, taking the train costs less than driving, based on cost per mile. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a driver spends 67 cents per mile, while BART riders pay an average of 27 cents per mile, or 60 percent less than the cost of driving.
BART offers discounts to children ages 5 to 18, seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and low-income riders.
