On Thursday, July 6, the Caltrain Board of Directors will take public comments regarding proposed changes to fare and parking rates at their monthly Board Meeting.
Caltrain last adjusted fares in 2016, when adult base fares and daily parking charges were increased by 50 cents. Monthly Pass, 8-ride Ticket, Day Pass and monthly parking permits were adjusted accordingly.
Caltrain plans assume consideration of a fare increase every two years. Unlike most transit systems, Caltrain does not currently receive dedicated funding to support its operations. The cost of operating the service has increased due to the challenge of accommodating record-setting ridership demand and maintaining an aging diesel system in a state of good repair. Without dedicated funding, Caltrain fare revenue covers about 66 percent of its operations costs and also depends on its member agencies to pay for system operations, but those agencies are unable to fully cover those costs in Fiscal Year 2018, leaving Caltrain with a projected $17.8 million operating budget shortfall.
As part of the proposed changes for this October, Caltrain is considering the following:
• Increasing the zone fare by 25 cents;
• Basing Monthly Pass prices on 15 days a month rather than 13 per month;
• Eliminating the discounted 8-ride Ticket; and
• Increasing Monthly parking prices from $55 to $82.50
The proposal would also increase Go Pass fares for employers by 50 percent from $190 per Pass to $285, which will raise the minimum participation from $15,960 to $23,940.
The proposal would also create a pilot program to provide discounted fares for weekend and evening riders.
To learn more about the proposed changes visit www.caltrain.com/ProposedFareChanges
The public meeting on the proposals will be held at the following time and place:
July 6, 2017, 10:00 a.m.
Second Floor Auditorium
Caltrain Administrative Headquarters
1250 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos
Individuals who are unable to attend can submit comments by mail, e-mail or phone and online:
- Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, JPB Secretary P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
- 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448)
- www.caltrain.com/ProposedFareChanges
After this hearing, Caltrain staff will evaluate the comments and identify potential changes for a final recommendation to the Board on August 3. If approved, the changes to the transit fares and parking charges would go into effect on October 1 of this year and the changes to the Go Pass & pilot program are scheduled to launch on January 1, 2018.
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain enjoyed five years of consecutive monthly ridership increases, surpassing more than 60,000 average weekday riders. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the system, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations.
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