Caltrain fare study to consider standardizing regional fares

Standardizing regional fares across Caltrain, BART, ferries and other regional services was recommended by the region’s Fare Policy Vision in 2021 because a study showed it would increase ridership by 70,000 riders per day, the equivalent of a pre-Covid Caltrain.

At the July 27 Regional Network Management/Clipper Executive Board meeting, Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said publicly (at 1:38) that she was willing to have Caltrain’s upcoming fare strategy study, which was recently funded by Caltrans, to include other agencies and consider options to standardize regional fares. Seamus Murphy of the SF Bay Ferry agency supported this direction. He neded that the ferry agency made its fares closer to other agencies, and this helped increase ridership.

Bouchard’s comment was part of broad support among the executive leaders of transit agencies and MTC who expressed enthusiasm and strong support for taking the next steps toward integrated and affordable fares, based on the success to date at increasing ridership.

The Clipper BayPass all-agency transit pass pilot was the first recommendation from the Fare Policy Vision to be rolled out, and it has increased ridership by 30% or more at universities, employers, and other organizations where it has been used.

Free and reduced price transfers is the second recommendation to be rolled out as part of the Clipper system update. Results for ridership will be assessed after Clipper 2 has been fully rolled out. Over two thirds of Clipper trips are now being processed with the new system as of October 3.

A version of BayPass for individuals – a pass or cap – is another recommendation from the Fare Policy vision that is being considered next. Standardized regional fares would be helpful in developing an individual pass or cap that is understandable to riders.

Caltrans accepted the funding for the fare study in September, and will discuss the scope of the study in the coming months at board committee and advisory meetings, according to Caltrain staff.

More work will be needed to analyze options for customers, how the finances and administration would work.

Of course, the progress on the next steps toward integrated and affordable fares depend on the passage of the Regional Transit Measure, which would enable stable service as a foundation for next steps toward seamless transit.