Free & Discounted Transfers Pilot Program
Summary
SCH Number
2024100637
Public Agency
Bay Area Rapid Transit District
(BART)
Document Title
Free & Discounted Transfers Pilot Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/16/2024
Document Description
BART is participating in a regional initiative being led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to implement the Free and Discounted Interagency Transfer Pilot Program using the Clipper fare payment system. This program is designed to increase regional transit ridership and enhance customer experience in the Bay Area while mitigating financial impacts to transit operators.
The Pilot Program includes the following elements:
1. Free and discounted transfers between participating agencies within a specified time window.
2. A discount equivalent to the single-ride Clipper fare for amounts up to the region's highest local bus/light rail transit fare.
3. Proportional discounts for riders using discount fare categories (Senior, Youth, Clipper START, Regional Transit Connection).
4. A minimum program duration of 18 months, with a possible extension to 24 months if sufficient funding is available.
The Bay Area Transit Fare Coordination & Integration Study & Business Case (2021), estimated that implementing the Pilot Program could increase ridership across the region by 27,000 daily trips. By reducing the cost barrier for multi-agency trips, this program is expected to encourage increased transit ridership and reduce vehicle miles traveled throughout the region. By generating new trips, the Program could strengthen regional transit connectivity and lead to long-term ridership and revenue benefits.
Contact Information
Name
Donald Dean
Agency Name
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Job Title
Manager of Environmental Review
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Antioch, Berkeley, Colma, Concord, Daly City, Dublin, El Cerrito, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Millbrae, Milpitas, Oakland, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Bruno, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, South San Francisco, Union City, Walnut Creek
Counties
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Location Info
The BART District operates rail transit with 50 stations in 5 Bay Area counties.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code 21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(a)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed changes in BART fares are exempt from CEQA review pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8) and the CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(a). CEQA does not apply to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, or other charges by public agencies which the agency finds are for the purpose of (a) meeting operating expenses, (b) purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment or materials, (c) meeting financial reserve needs and requirements, (d) obtaining funds for capital projects, necessary to maintain service within existing service areas, or (e) obtaining funds necessary to maintain those intracity transfers as are authorized by city charter.
County Clerks
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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