The transit agency says it needs more state and federal support to meet its operating costs and avoid a growing budget gap.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) riders in the San Francisco Bay will see a 5.5 percent increase in fares starting on January 1, reports Aidin Vaziri for The San Francisco Chronicle.
According to Vaziri, “BART officials say the increase is essential to support ongoing operations and to address a growing budget deficit, which is projected to reach $35 million by 2026 and balloon to $385 million by 2027.” The agency continues to rely on fares as an important source of revenue, but that model has become largely unsustainable.
Like other transit leaders around the country, BART officials are calling on state and federal governments to support public transit with more dedicated funding. “As part of its strategy to balance the budget, BART is also focusing on cost-saving measures, such as more efficient scheduling and reduced train sizes to lower operational expenses.”
FULL STORY: BART announces another fare hike as agency struggles with budget woes
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
San Francisco’s BART Awarded $545 Loan for Upgraded Rail Cars
The agency plans to modernize its fleet with more efficient rail cars equipped with new safety features.
BART Will Run Shorter Trains
The agency says shorter trains will enable them to increase security, retire aging cars, and save on energy costs.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.
Philadelphia Could Lose Free Transit Program
The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
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