SamTrans will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to its codified tariff at the bus agency’s Board of Directors meeting Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.. The codified tariff is the document that sets SamTrans’ fare policies.
The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January, are intended to increase ridership by permanently adopting two attractive incentive programs and temporarily lowering the price of the bus agency’s Day Pass.
The public hearing will focus on the following proposals:
- Reducing the price of the SamTrans Day Pass to two-and-a-half times the one-way cash fare for up to 18 months. The Day Pass is currently three times the one-way cash fare.
- Establishing an annual pass for purchase by housing complexes and businesses. Participating property managers and employers would pay a set price per eligible resident (five years and older) or employee (working 20+ hours a week.) The pass would cost $115 for the 2014 calendar year and $125 for the 2015 calendar year. Minimum participation would be 100 users.
- Providing a 20 percent discount to groups of 25 or more people who pre-purchase fares.
By reducing the price of the Day Pass, SamTrans is encouraging its current customers to ride more frequently while offering an attractive incentive for new riders to try the system. The group discount fare would permanently establish a current pilot program managed by the agency. The annual pass would be valid for unlimited travel on all of SamTrans’ fixed-route bus routes.
SamTrans held four different public meetings in August to gather feedback from transit passengers about the fare change proposals. Comments also can be provided by e-mail (changes@samtrans.com), mail (P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070-1306), by calling 1-800-660-4287 (TTY only 650-508-6448) or at the public hearing.
The public hearing will take place at the San Mateo County Transit District headquarters at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos. SamTrans staff will review and consider all comments received before drafting a final proposal for approval at the Board’s Oct. 2 meeting.