Board Postpones Fare Increase Discussion

Press Releases
02/04/2009

It’s been four years since AC Transit riders have encountered a fare increase. But now, faced with soaring costs and declining revenues, AC Transit’s Board of Directors will consider adjusting its basic bus fares to help offset an impending budget deficit of at least $52 million in 2010.

In an attempt to keep current service levels intact, the directors will meet on March 11, 2009 to discuss whether to boost the fares– possibly as a forerunner to other service adjustments. The directors will also consider a plan that, for adult riders only, limits the use of a 25-cent transfer to those who use TransLink cards.

The March 11th Board of Directors’ meeting will be held in the second floor Board Room at AC Transit headquarters, 1600 Franklin Street in Oakland.

The meeting had originally been scheduled for February 25. The discussion was delayed to allow the Board time to re-evaluate the District’s financial condition in light of the recent passage of the federal stimulus package, the directors said.

For adults, the change would mean a 25-cent increase in the basic cash fare– from $1.75 to $2 for passengers who are at least 18 years old. In addition, the cost of adult 10-Ride tickets would rise from $17.50 to $20, and the $70 adult 31-Day pass would increase to $80 each. There would be no change to youth, senior, and disabled passes.

For youths, seniors and the disabled, the basic cash fare would increase by 15 cents-from 85 cents to $1, and likewise their 10-Ride tickets would increase from $8.50 to $10. But there would be no change in the cost of the 31-Day passes for youth, seniors and the disabled. Those passes would remain at their current price of $15 for youths and $20 for seniors and the disabled.

Under the proposal, Transbay fares would also increase–from $3.50 to $4 for adults; and from $1.70 to $2 for youths, seniors and the disabled. Transbay 31-Day passes for adults would also increase from $116 to $132.

“Even though we will get some new revenue from the passage of Measure VV last November, it is neither big nor quick enough to completely offset our catastrophic loss of state funding,” said AC Transit General Manager Rick Fernandez. “It is a difficult time for all of us. But the board is especially sensitive to the burden borne by youths, seniors and people with disabilities, and obviously has no desire to raise the cost of their bus passes.”

If the new fare structure is enacted, it would be:

• the first increase in AC Transit bus fares since 2005
• providing approximately $5.7 million in new revenues
• part of an overall plan to shave costs and otherwise streamline operations in an attempt to avoid service and/or personnel adjustments.

A legally mandated public hearing on the proposed fare increase was held on May 21, 2008. Now, the AC Transit Board of Directors will meet to potentially decide the matter on March 11, 2009, 5:00 p.m., in the AC Transit Board Room on the second floor at 1600 Franklin Street in Oakland.