Take SamTrans? You May Soon Be Paying More

By Bay City News Service:

Some fares for SamTrans bus service are changing next year and again in 2019 after approval Wednesday by the district’s board of directors, SamTrans officials said.

The adult local cash fare will go up to $2.25 on Jan. 10, 2016, and to $2.50 on Jan. 20, 2019.

SamTrans officials said inflation and an effort to restore the district’s financial health prompted the changes. Transit agencies also typically increase fares every two to three years, according to SamTrans officials.

The board also approved a 10 percent discount for Clipper card customers, while passengers 18 years old and younger now qualify for a youth discount, SamTrans officials said.

Before, only passengers 17 years old and younger qualified for a youth discount, according to SamTrans officials.

The monthly pass for adults will go up to $65.60 on Jan. 10 from its current rate of $64. Discounted one-way cash fares will increase to $1.10 from $1, and the discounted one-way monthly pass will rise to $27 from $25, according to SamTrans officials.

Paratransit riders will also see an increase from $3.75 to $4.25 on Jan. 1.

Paratransit Lifeline fares will remain the same, SamTrans officials said.

Paratransit Lifeline service serves low-income disabled travelers.

The board also decided to eliminate the premium fare on travel to San Francisco, but left the premium fare to travel out of San Francisco at $4.

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