Public meetings set for proposed 5-year GGT & GGF fare program

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District has a new five-year fare plan proposal to increase fares for ferry, bus, and para-transit services to help address a five-year projected deficit of $51 million. This fare plan continues past practice of adopting fare changes in a five year package. It differs from earlier five-year fare plans in that previously, fares were raised by five percent in each of the five years in the program, while this program generally applies lower percentage increases that average four percent.

 

There are two options under consideration for Golden Gate Transit fare increases. One option raises fares by a straight four percent for all routes. The second option selectively raises fares by four percent or less to make the percentage of operating costs covered by fares throughout the system more equitable and more consistent with the Board-adopted goal that fares should cover 25% of operating costs.

 

There are also two options for consideration for Golden Gate Ferry fare increases. Both options include four percent fare increases. Both also aim to standardize fares for Tiburon and Sausalito service, due to their similarities. One option completes the standardization by year three of the fare plan, while the other completes it in year two.

 

The District also proposes to simplify the outdated and complex transfer policy. New and more direct service implemented over recent years permits the reduction of allowable transfers from 3 to 2, and the allowable transfer window from 4 hours to 3 hours for regional travel (3 hours to 2 hours for local travel), without adversely impacting riders. This simplification would significantly reduce the administrative burden of maintaining the fare program.

 

Three open houses have been scheduled in order to receive public comments, provide information, and answer questions:

• Wednesday, February 8, 4:00-6:00 p.m. - Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Avenue, San Rafael, CA
• Monday, February 13, 4:00-7:00 p.m. - Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma, CA
• Thursday, February 16, 4:00-6:00 p.m. - Marguerita C. Johnson Senior Center, 630 Drake Avenue, Marin City, CA

There is a final public hearing scheduled for February 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Golden Gate Bridge District Board Room at the Administration Building located next to the toll plaza.

 

All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Comments may be submitted:

• In person by attending any of the public meetings
• By email to publichearing@goldengate.org
• In writing to Secretary of the District, GGBHTD, PO Box 9000, Presidio Station, San Francisco, CA 94129-0601

For full details of the proposal and for trip planning assistance, please visit www.goldengate.org or call 511 (say "Golden Gate Transit," then "operator" to bypass recorded messages)/TDD 711. The Golden Gate Customer Service Center is open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.