Stronger finances leads SamTrans to reduce fares, offer free transfers

With the agency’s finances strengthened by the passage of Measure W, the SamTrans Board of Directors voted in favor to change the agency’s Fare Structure, formerly known as the Codified Tariff. The changes will reduce costs to riders, help to modernize and simplify the system, and allow for innovative new practices.

The Adult base fare will remain at $2.25, while the cost of the Local Day Pass will be $1 less, going from $5.50 to $4.50. Eligible Discount and Youth One-way ride will remain at $1.10 and the Local Day Pass will cost $2, in response to public comments at the July 10 public hearing. There will be no charge for transferring between local SamTrans routes when using Clipper or the SamTrans Mobile app, and there will no longer be a departure fare type for riders out of San Francisco.

SamTrans will also no longer sell metal tokens and is replacing them with paper ones, saving the transit agency approximately $250,000 a year. Riders can still use metal tokens they have already purchased. The agency also will eliminate change cards, group sales, and the 50-ticket ride book, as they are underutilized and can slow down the service.

A One-way Express fare of $4.50 will be established for the newly redefined express service, such as Route FCX that will launch later this month. In addition, it will define microtransit and taxi voucher service in the fare structure.

SamTrans will begin implementing these changes, with all of them expected to be in effect by 2020.