BART has recently made a significant decision to join a regional transportation program aimed at encouraging more commuters to return to public transit. This initiative offers passengers a discounted fare when transferring between different transportation systems.

According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, commuters will receive a discount of $2.50 if they transfer between systems within a two-hour window. This amount has been set to match the cost of a bus ride, with the goal of saving money for riders without overburdening the transit agencies still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the program aims to alleviate long-standing issues among the 27 transportation operators in the Bay Area, whose varying schedules and fare structures have confused and frustrated riders for years.

For commuters transferring from bus or rail lines in the Golden Gate region or Sonoma County, they will have a three-hour window to take advantage of the new discounted fares.

BART board member Janice Li expressed her vision for a more cohesive fare structure across the Bay Area during the meeting, noting that the current steps are moving toward that goal. Other board members also voiced strong support for BART’s participation in the new program before the vote took place.

A 2021 study conducted by analysts from various Bay Area transit agencies predicts that the introduction of fare discounts could result in an increase of up to 27,000 daily commutes.

Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, responsible for overseeing regional transportation planning and policy, are treating the fare program as a pilot initiative. It will undergo an 18-month trial period, which may be extended to two years if sufficient funding is available.

BART staff estimate that the pilot program will cost between $3.1 million and $4.3 million, depending on how long the program operates and how much it benefits the public.