Public opinion sought on plan for fare changes
Marin Transit’s board of directors advanced a proposal this week that would make several changes to its fares, including free fixed-route rides for qualified passengers.
The board’s unanimous vote on Monday kicked off the public outreach period for the proposal, which will include a public hearing in January. A final vote on the changes is set to occur in February.
“I think Marin Transit with the fare policies really recognize, frankly, that so many of the majority of our riders are probably low-income and transitdependent,” said board member and Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice.
Overall, the proposed changes focus on fare pricing and simplifying eligibility requirements.
One of the biggest changes would be giving free fixedroute bus rides to disabled riders or residents 65 and older who are either enrolled in Medi-Cal or who have an income that falls at or below California’s Elder Economic Index.
Other changes being considered are cutting the price of the adult 31-day bus pass in half, to $40; reducing the senior and disabled 31- day bus pass from $25 to $20; raising fares for some on-demand services such as Dial-A-Ride and paratransit; getting rid of the seven-day pass due to low usage; and providing more ride credits to low-income, senior and disabled riders for its Marin Access programs such as Dial-A-Ride and paratransit.
Rates for Novato Dial-ARide would rise from $2 to $4 in July 2020 and then to $5 in 2023. Rural dial-a-ride would rise from $2.50 to $3 and then to $4 by July 2023. Seniors and disabled passengers would receive a 50% discount.
Paratransit fares would rise from $2 and $2.50 to $3 in July 2020 and $4 in July 2023. Catch-A-Ride taxi credits for qualified riders would change from up to $14 or $18 at an eight-trip-per-month limit to an initial $4 payment and $18 credit for up to 10 rides per month. The initial payment will increase to $5 in July 2023.
The district estimates it will lose $6,000 to $175,000 in fare revenue during the first phase of fare reductions in 20202021 and $76,000 in the second phase in fiscal year 2024.
David Schonbrunn, founder and president of the San Rafael-based nonprofit organization Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund, called on Marin Transit to consider incremental fare increases rather than larger increases for the paratransit and dial-a-ride services.
He also called for Marin Transit to consider a fare discount for all low-income passengers as other agencies are doing as part of an Metropolitan Transportation Commission-led pilot project.
Marin Transit’s cash and
Clipper- based bus fares have remained the same since 2004 and are expected to remain at $2 and $1.80 respectively for some time.
Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit are tied to the Bay Area Clipper system and Marin Transit
is not allowed to independently increase Clipper rates. That could change potentially in 2023 when the Clipper system is set to undergo an upgrade.
Marin Transit General Manager Nancy Whelan said the agency was not asked by MTC to participate in the pilot fare discount program.
“Maybe in the future we will be able to participate,” Whelan told the board.