Caltrain Approves Fare Hike; Stops Four Midday Trains
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – California’s commuter train service, Caltrain, has approved a proposal to raise fares and cut service to address a $2.3 million budget shortfall.
The rail service’s board of directors voted Thursday to charge 25 cents more for each zone. The increase means a rider traveling from San Francisco to Atherton stations will pay $6.50 instead of $6.00. Caltrain has six zones beginning in San Francisco and ending in Gilroy.
The price of the annual Go Pass will be $155, up from $140.
The board also decided to stop midday trains 236, 237, 256 and 257. The four trains ply the San Francisco-San Jose route.
The changes take effect on Jan. 1.
Caltrain expects to earn an additional $1.4 million from the zone fare hike, and $150,000 from the Go Pass increase.
The agency has received more than 1,500 comments from riders during a month-long public comment period. Some groups had put forth formal proposals, such as the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Caltrain had been considering more cuts but decided against reducing weekday early morning and evening service since many commuters would be left without a means to get to work.
Agency executive director Michael Scanlon made clear last month the changes would be the first of many because of a projected budget deficit of nearly $30 million in fiscal year 2012.
“These will be the good old days compared to what we will face in July,” Scanlon had said.
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