This story is archived. Visit bart.gov/news for the latest BART news.

BART wants to hear from riders on proposed fare changes in 2024 and 2025

The survey is now closed.

BART wants to hear from the public about two less-than-inflation fare increases that would assist the agency in continuing to provide safe and reliable service. We are also proposing offering an increased discount of 50% -- up from 20% -- to low-income Clipper START participants. 

The first proposed fare increase, as well as the increased Clipper START discount, would occur on Jan. 1, 2024, and the second fare increase would occur on Jan. 1, 2025.  

In 2004, BART implemented the Board-approved Inflation-Based Fare Increase Program to offer riders a predictable pattern of small fare adjustments over time at a rate below inflation. Due to recent rapid inflation, the program’s formula calls for a single 11.4% increase on Jan. 1, 2024; however, BART is proposing to spread the fare increase over two years by implementing two smaller increases of up to 5.5% each in 2024 and 2025.  

For a short trip, such as traveling from El Cerrito del Norte to 19th Street/Oakland, the regular fare is estimated to increase by up to $0.15 in 2024. For a longer trip, such as traveling from Antioch to Montgomery, the regular fare estimated to increase by up to $0.40.  

Additionally, BART is studying implementing a larger discount for low-income riders who use the regional Clipper START program. The program is for adult riders with a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less. BART’s current discount of 20% per trip would increase to 50% per trip. 

Fares are an important funding source to continue meeting the needs of riders who rely on BART. Money from the fare increases will go towards our operating and capital budgets, funding train service, enhanced cleaning, additional police and unarmed safety staff presence, and capital projects such as purchasing new train cars. The last fare increase, of 3.4%, occurred on July 1, 2022.  

We want to hear from riders about these scheduled fare increases. Tell us what you think by taking our online survey at bart.gov/faresurvey. The survey closes on March 26, and respondents may choose to enter to win a $50 Clipper card at the end of the survey.  

 

BART will continue to offer these additional discount programs:  

  • Youth 5-18 years old get 50% off with a Youth Clipper card. 

  • Seniors 65 and over get 62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card. 

  • The RTC Clipper card is a version of Clipper created for passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities to provide 62.5% off.  

  • BART offers a “High-Value Discount.” Adult Clipper cards get a 6.25% discount on cash value rides by buying $48 worth of value for $45 or $64 worth of value for $60 when autoload is set up.