Public Hearing, May 21: Fare Changes
News Articles
04/17/2008
On Wednesday, May 21, the AC Transit Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to receive comments on proposed fare changes for AC Transit and Dumbarton Express service. The hearing will take place at the Oakland City Council Chambers, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The hearing will continue at least until 7:00 p.m. (but no later than 10:00 p.m.).
AC Transit, like many Bay Area transit agencies, continues to be challenged by expenses rising faster than revenues. Since 2005, total revenue and subsidies have grown by $9.9 million, while operating expenses have increased $35 million. For example, costs in two important areas—fuel and health insurance—have gone up between 40 and 48 percent. At the same time, the economy is experiencing a downturn that threatens to cut into key funding sources such as sales and property taxes. Unless AC Transit increases revenues, expenses will have to be cut, which could result in service reductions.
Local and transbay fares were last raised in September 2005. If fare changes are adopted this year, up to $9.2 million in additional annual revenue could be generated.
For more background:
AC Transit fare history
AC Transit budget summary
Staff memo to the Board of Directors, March 12
Fare Change Proposals
There are four proposals under consideration. All four present the same cash and 10-ride ticket increases, and all four would raise one or more 31-day-ticket and monthly pass prices. Proposals 3 and 4 include changes to the transfer price and/or usage policy.
AC Transit & Dumbarton Express Fare Change Proposals
| Proposal | Proposal | Proposal | Proposal | ||
| Current | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Cash | |||||
| Local Adult | $1.75 | $2.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Local Youth | $0.85 | $1.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Local Senior/Discount | $0.85 | $1.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Transbay Adult | $3.50 | $4.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Transbay Youth | $1.70 | $2.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Transbay Senior/Disabled | $1.70 | $2.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| 31- Day Ticket/ Monthly Pass | |||||
| Local Adult | $70.00 | $80.00 | Same as Prop 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Local Youth | $15.00 | $28.00 | $17.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Local Senior/ Disabled | $20.00 | $28.00 | $23.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Transbay Adult | $116.00 | $132.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| 10- Ride Ticket | |||||
| Local Adult | $17.50 | $20.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Local Youth/Senior/Disabled | $8.50 | $10.00 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 | Same as Prop. 1 |
| Transbay Adult | $35.00 | $40.00 | |||
| Local Transfer | |||||
| With cash or 10-ride tickets | $0.25 1.5 hrs 1 use | $0.25 1.5 hrs 1 use | $0.25 1.5 hrs 1 use | Free 1.5 hrs 1 use | $0.25 1.5 hrs 1 use |
| With TransLink | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | Free 2 hrs unlimited use |
| Transbay Transfer | |||||
| With cash or 10 ride tickets | Free w/transbay fare 1.5 hrs 1 use | Free w/transbay fare 1.5 hrs 1 use | Free w/transbay fare 1.5 hrs 1 use | Free w/transbay fare 1.5 hrs 1 use | Free w/transbay fare 1.5 hrs 1 use |
| With TransLink | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above | Free w/transbay fare 2 hrs unlimited use |
| Potential additional revenue | $0 | $9,299,449 | $6,515,830 | $4,510,438 | $3,910.438 |
*assumes no change in ridership
The Board of Directors may adopt any one of the proposals as presented, combine elements of the proposals, or set any fare at a lower level than proposed. The board may also decide to keep one or more fares at the current level.
Following the hearing, AC Transit staff will compile and review all comments received before and at the hearing. A report of the comments along with staff responses will be prepared for the board to consider, most likely at its June 11 meeting. Any fare changes adopted would likely go into effect in September or October 2008.
How to Comment
Individuals, organizations, and agencies may submit comments on the proposed fare changes in a number of ways:
- Speak at the public hearing
- Submit written comments at the public hearing
- Submit written comments, which must be received by 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21:
- by mail to AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
- by fax to (510) 891-4874
- by email or by online comment form
- Leave comments in a voicemail message by 7:00 p.m., May 21, by calling (510) 891-7293
Getting to the Public Hearing
The Oakland City Hall is located at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, between 14th and 15th streets, one block north of Broadway in downtown Oakland. AC Transit lines 1, 1R, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 51, 72, 72M, and 72R stop within one block, and other lines stop within three or four blocks. The 12th Street BART station is nearby as well. For trip-planning assistance, call 511 and say “AC Transit.”
The public hearing site is wheelchair accessible.
Translation Services
Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin interpreters can be provided, if needed. Please contact the AC Transit District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-4851 by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, to make arrangements.
TDD/TTY for hearing-impaired (only), call (800) 488-9790.
Any changes to Dumbarton Express fares also need approval of BART, SamTrans, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Union City Transit.