AC Transit fares are going up by 50 cents, from $2.50 to $3 for the local cash fare.
The fare increase will happen in phases, with a quarter increase (from $2.50 to $2.75) starting July 1. Also increasing on July 1 is the Transbay cash fare from $6 to $6.50.
A second .25 cent increase will bring the local cash fare to $3 on July 1, 2026.
The fare increases follow a 4 to 3 vote from the AC Transit Board. The transit agency said it postponed the fare increases needed to sustain adequate service levels during the COVID pandemic.
“With emergency ARP funds now depleted, several years of stagnant fares, and an unexpected fiscal update from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), AC Transit – now in its 65th year – faces a looming budget shortfall,” the transit agency said.
The projected four-year gap is $238 million, beginning in the next fiscal year with a shortfall of $45 million.
The approved fare adjustment is expected to generate $4.1 million in revenue in the coming fiscal year, and $7.9 million by the end of 2026-27.
AC Transit continues to participate in the MTC-managed Clipper START discounted fare program and will continue its 25 cent discount for Clipper and mobile fare payments.
