Bus Fares Going Up Again

Get ready to pay more money for your ticekt to ride.

Buses and ferries to the North Bay may soon go up, pending a decision by Golden Gate Transit's board of directors.

The increases will range from $1 increases every year in the Sausalito Ferry to five percent yearly increases for Larkspur Ferries to AT&T Park. It's estimated that the fare hikes will cause a drop in ridership of about 2%.

A variety of factors are contributing to the proposed fare hikes. California's multi-billion dollar budget deficit has cities anticipating far less cash for transit -- and that's after heavy raids on transit funds by the Schwarzenegger administration.

Two years ago, the Golden Gate Transit District expected a budget shortfall of nearly $100 million over five years, according to the SF Appeal.

In addition, other agencies are increasing their fees. The Port of San Francisco has begun charging a 25-cent-per-passenger surcharge for using its dock.

If approved, the hikes will take effect in July. That will coincide with fare hikes for Muni FastPasses.