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BART is appealing to riders to weigh-in via a survey on fare increases in 2024 and 2025 that it says will help it continue to provide “safe and reliable service.” The agency is also considering offering low-income Clipper START customers an increased discount of 50 percent—which is up from 20 percent, on Jan. 1, 2024. Customers can find the online survey here. BART began implementing its Board-Approved Inflation-Based Fare Increase Program in 2004, which institutes below-inflation, small fair adjustments intermittently over time. Amid “recent rapid inflation,” BART said the program’s formula “calls for a single 11.4 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2024.” The agency is looking to sidestep that larger, at-once increase by spreading it out over two smaller increases “of up to 5.5 percent each in 2024 and 2025.” The agency last increased fares by 3.4 percent on July 1, 2022. According to BART, it is also examining the possibility of offering larger discounts for Clipper START program riders, which is for adults with a household income that’s 200 percent of the federal poverty level or less. Again, the discount would increase from 20 percent per trip to 50 percent per trip. “Money from the fare increases will go towards our operating and capital budgets, funding train service, enhanced cleaning, additional police and unarmed safety staff presence and capital projects such as purchasing new train cars,” said BART. Again, find the survey about BART’s scheduled fare increases through March 26 here. Those responding can enter to win a $50 Clipper card.

October 20, 2021 Community

BART to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all employees

BART’s Board of Directors voted to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all employees, requiring proof of vaccination by Dec. 13. The… … Keep Reading

Red Cross says it's facing 'national blood crisis,' urges donations

October 19, 2021 Community

Blood Centers declare critical blood supply shortage, urge donations

The American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and AABB have come together to announce that there are critical blood supply… … Keep Reading

October 19, 2021 Community

San Mateo County’s worst plane crash remembered

A history marker on Kings Mountain commemorates the deadliest airplane tragedy in San Mateo County history, the crash of an… … Keep Reading

Taco Bell offering free breakfast burritos Thursday morning

October 19, 2021 A&E/Community/Food

Taco Bell to offer free breakfast burritos Thursday morning

Taco Bell is offering its Toasted Breakfast Burrito for free to customers while supplies last this Thursday morning, from 7… … Keep Reading

San Mateo considers adjusting downtown parking rates

October 18, 2021 Community/Infrastructure

San Mateo considers changes to parking rates downtown

Tonight, San Mateo City Council will consider adjusting hourly and monthly parking rates in Downtown San Mateo. The changes include… … Keep Reading

October 17, 2021 Community

This hospital chaplain has quite a story to tell: her own

On her rounds at Stanford Hospital, the Rev. Sookja Han of San Carlos considers it a “privilege” when dying patients… … Keep Reading

October 15, 2021 A&E/Community

San Mateo County’s mini museums preserve and educate about local history

By Heidi Van Zant Dotting downtowns across the Peninsula, little testaments to bygone times, stand some dozen small but mighty… … Keep Reading

Local service clubs have stepped up as critical lifeline during pandemic

October 15, 2021 Community

Service clubs have stepped in to provide important lifeline during pandemic

By Nicholas A. Veronico In today’s Covid pandemic age with virus-related job losses, food insecurity, and shrinking economic fortunes, many… … Keep Reading

October 15, 2021 Community/Infrastructure

San Mateo to pay $450K settlement related to denial of housing project

San Mateo will pay $450,000 to settle a lawsuit involving the city’s denial of a 10-unit market-rate housing project in… … Keep Reading

San Carlos challenges homes and businesses to decorations contest

October 14, 2021 A&E/Community

San Carlos invites residents and business owners to enter Halloween decorating contest

We recently reported about Redwood City’s Halloween home decoration challenge. Turns out San Carlos has a similar contest going on.… … Keep Reading

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