VTA to raise fares, introduce transfer system
Although the Valley Transportation Authority will be raising fares next year, riders who use the bus and light rail heavily may end up saving some money through a new transfer system.
Starting Monday, single-ride fares for adults will increase by a quarter to $2.25 and a one-way ride on an express bus will go up 50 cents to $4.50. All community bus routes will become local routes charging the regular fare, so adults will have to fork over $1 more than the $1.25 they’re paying now to ride these routes.
On the plus side, those who use a Clipper card to pay their fare on VTA will potentially get more bang for their swipe, as payment for a single ride with Clipper will cover two hours of free transfers across VTA buses and light rail. But riders who transfer to an express bus must make up the $2.25 difference in fares using their Clipper card.
While Clipper cards can be used to pay fares across multiple Bay Area transit agencies, the VTA has launched its own EZfare app expressly for boarding buses and light rail. Riders who use EZfare also are eligible for two hours of free transfers.
The VTA says the fare hike is its first in eight years. The agency’s board approved the increase in June when it faced a $20.5 million operating deficit and declining ridership. It hoped the increase would generate more than $17 million over the next three years.
While increases to adult fares are also reflected in the cost of daily and monthly passes, the VTA opted not to charge higher fares for seniors and the
disabled, and to roll back fares for youths.
In addition to its new fare structure, the VTA is also planning service changes to a number of its routes when 2018 begins. Among these are the four express bus lines that serve the Fremont BART
station. The schedules for these lines will be adjusted in January in anticipation of a BART schedule change effective Feb. 12.
These service changes don’t take into account the anticipated June opening of the Berryessa BART station in San Jose, and its potential impact on VTA ridership.
The VTA is upping its community outreach in the week following the fare increases.
From Jan. 1 to 8, outreach workers in yellow vests will be at select transit hubs to hand out information and Clipper cards and answer riders’ questions.
For a full schedule of outreach events, a list of fare changes and a link to EZfare, visit vta.org/getting-around/2018-fares.