SamTrans will no longer accept the BART Plus ticket as fare payment beginning Jan. 1, 2013, agency officials announced this month.
Earlier this year, the SamTrans Board of Directors voted to discontinue the bus agency’s participation in the program after conducting two community meetings and a public hearing.
SamTrans, and other Bay Area transit agencies, originally entered the program to facilitate an easier “last mile” connection for BART users, connecting to the system via bus.
The ticket program was instead being used for bus-to-bus commuting, leading to a significant loss of fare revenue.
BART Plus ticket customers have a variety of other discount fare options for travel, including SamTrans Monthly and Day passes, as well as tokens. For a complete list of fare options, please visit the SamTrans website.
SamTrans also is working with its neighboring transit agencies, Muni and VTA to determine whether they can provide discounts to passengers transferring between systems to reduce the cost of travel through the region.
SamTrans and VTA allow for a complimentary transfer for customers using a Monthly Pass on a Clipper card.
In addition to SamTrans, Muni, VTA and the Dumbarton Express also are withdrawing from the BART Plus program at the end of the month. AC Transit discontinued its participation nearly a decade ago, citing a loss of fare revenue.
SamTrans projects an increase in farebox revenue resulting from the elimination of this program.
Also on Menlo Park-Atherton Patch:
City Applies for $1.8 Million in Transportation Funding
Driver Succumbs to Injuries in Fiery Highway 280 Crash
U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $16 Million for California Rail Network
Transportation Authority Board Approves Funding For Bike Lane Improvements
Unattended Pot on Stove Results in Two-Alarm Blaze
