Politics & Government
Public Can Comment on Proposed Golden Gate Bridge District Fare Hikes
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is holding four public meetings this month on proposed transit hikes.
BAY AREA, CA - The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is holding four public meetings this month on proposed ferry, bus and para-transit fares.
The fare increases would help address a five-year projected $51 million budget deficit, according to the District.
Earlier five-year plans proposed raising fares five percent in each of the five years. The current proposal calls for average fare hikes of four-percent.
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There are two options for both the Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry fare increases.
The Golden Gate Transit options are raising fares for all routes four percent, or selectively raising fares four percent or less so that the operating costs covered by the fares throughout the system are more equitable and consistent with the goal that fares cover 25 percent of operating costs.
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Both Golden Gate Ferry options call for four-percent fare increases to standardize fares from Tiburon and Sausalito to San Francisco due to similarities in service.
One option would be completed by year three of the five-year plan and the other would complete the fare standardization in two years.
The District also wants to simplify an outdated and complex transfer policy without adversely impacting riders by reducing allowable transfers from three to two and allowing two-hour windows rather than three hours.
The open house hearings are Wednesday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Whistlestop at 930 Tamalpais Ave in San Rafael, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Petaluma Arts Center at 230 Lakeville St. in Petaluma and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Marguerita C. Johnson Senior Center at 630 Drake Ave. in Marin City.
A final public hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Golden Gate Bridge District Board Room at the Administration Building next to the Toll Plaza.
The Board of Directors is accepting public comment at the four hearings by email and in writing until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
- Bay City News Service / Image via @GoldenGateFerry Twitter
