BART Fares and Bridge Tolls Set to Surge January 1, 2024

URGENT UPDATE: Bay Area commuters will face significant fare hikes starting on January 1, 2024. BART is raising fares by 6.2%, alongside increased parking rates at select stations, as the agency grapples with a projected $376 million deficit by 2027.

The fare increase, which averages 30 cents per trip, will push the average fare from $4.88 to $5.18. Short trips, such as those from Downtown Berkeley to 19th St./Oakland, will see a rise of 15 cents, while longer journeys—including Antioch to Montgomery—will increase by 55 cents. In tandem, daily parking rates at most stations will jump by 40 cents, with premium locations like Glen Park and Walnut Creek increasing by 30%.

This announcement comes on the heels of multiple service disruptions affecting BART throughout 2025, attributed to aging infrastructure and power failures. Despite these challenges, ridership has rebounded post-pandemic, with BART reporting over 51.7 million total rides in the past year, including a peak of more than 5 million paid exits in October alone.

BART Board President Mark Foley emphasized the necessity of these increases to maintain and enhance service amid a looming fiscal crisis. “As we ask the region for greater investments and support for BART while also making internal cuts to reduce costs, we also must ask our riders to contribute more towards their trips,” Foley stated.

To address its budget shortfall, BART plans to implement cost-saving measures totaling $108 million next year. These include running shorter trains to save on energy costs, adjusting service schedules, and instituting a strategic hiring freeze. The agency warns that without addressing its budget issues, it may face drastic cuts, including reduced service frequencies, 9 p.m. closures, and even potential mass layoffs.

In addition to BART’s fare increases, bridge tolls will also rise by 50 cents on seven state-owned Bay Area bridges, impacting daily commuters. Vehicles will now pay $8.50, up from $8, while carpool rates during peak hours will increase to $4.25.

The toll hikes will affect the San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. Larger commercial vehicles may see toll increases of up to $3.50, depending on their number of axles.

As California’s transportation agencies navigate financial challenges, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 63, which allows for a regional transit sales tax measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot. This measure could potentially generate approximately $1 billion annually over 14 years for Bay Area transit systems, with BART expected to receive around $330 million by 2031.

For detailed information on the new fare and toll rates, visit the BART and Bay Area FasTrak websites. Commuters are encouraged to prepare for these changes as the New Year approaches.