BART Considering Transbay Tube Fee

Commuters' costs adding up

Commuters trying to skip higher bridge fares by taking BART instead might soon meet with disappointment.

Drivers are already facing hikes on Bay Area bridges, and now BART directors say they might add a surcharge for riders who use the Transbay Tube. The agency says it makes sense to add a charge in order to help the transit agency balance their budget.

Discussion of the tube surcharge comes at the same time the Bay Area Toll Authority raises tolls during commute hours by $2. BART's fee is much smaller -- 10 cents, and it's not a done deal.

The agency's leaders say the tube surcharge would generate more than $4 million a year.

BART Director Gail Murray said she opposes a Transbay tube surcharge because riders already complain that BART is too expensive and the increase  "will drive away more riders."

The Toll Authority votes on the toll hike in less than two weeks. BART bart would take action after that.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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