Board Reluctantly Approves Fare Increase

Press Releases
04/12/2009

Faced with a projected $57 million deficit by end of June 2010, the AC Transit Board of Directors reluctantly approved an increase in all cash bus fares at their March 11 meeting.

Among other things, the new fare structure will raise the cost of adult bus fares to $2–a 25-cent increase–while fares for youths, seniors and people with disabilities will go up by 15 cents to become $1. The new fares will take effect on July 1, 2009. However, there will be no increase in 31-Day passes for youth, seniors and the disabled.

“I understand that times are difficult. I am unemployed myself. But we are in a really big hole,” said AC Transit Board President Rocky Fernandez, explaining his support for the fare increase.

It’s been four years since AC Transit riders have encountered a fare increase. But now, faced with soaring costs and declining revenues, board members opted for the fare increase as one of several possible steps to keep the current service levels in tact.

Summary of New Fare Structure

For adults, the change means 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 will rise from $17.50 to $20; the $70 adult 31-Day pass will increase to $80 each; transbay cash fares from $3.50 to $4; and the transbay 31-Day pass goes from $116 to $132.50.

For youths, seniors and the disabled, the basic cash fare will increase by 15 cents-from 85 cents to $1; and likewise their 10-Ride tickets will increase from $8.50 to $10. Also their transbay fares will increase from $1.70 to $2. But there is no change in the cost of the 31-Day passes for youth, seniors and the disabled. Those passes remain at their current price of $15 for youths and $20 for seniors and the disabled.

“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 tough time for all of us.”

The new fare structure is:

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

A legally mandated public hearing on the proposed fare increase was held on May 21, 2008.