Riding With BART in the New Year
I’m Ed Smith, an Personal Injury Lawyer in Antioch. If you have ever considered hopping the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) fare gates, think again. Once we welcome the new year, we will also welcome new penalties and fines that take effect as of January 1, 2018. Overall, the new year will bring multiple changes to the Bay Area bus and rail stations. We have a short review of these changes for those riding with BART in the new year
New Changes to BART
- Fare Scofflaw Fines: All passengers on BART that are unable to provide proof of fare payment could be hit with a fine of $60 for minors and $120 for adults, in addition to criminal penalties for adults who classify as repeat offenders. First-time offenders may be let off with a warning, or they may receive a fee reduction of $75 for adults and $55 for minors. Although these new fines will begin as of January 1, BART officials reassured the public that legal enforcement of the new rule is scheduled for February 1.
- Five Cent Fare Increase: All fares will see a 2.7% increase, as these inflated prices are part of the agency’s plan to put more money towards various capital improvements that will assist BART in their train, rails, and station maintenance. In 2018, the minimum fare for BART riders will now be $2.00, as opposed to the previous price of $1.95. Minors, seniors, and disabled persons who receive BART discounts will now pay a minimum fare of $.75.
- Higher Cost of Paper: For those who purchase paper tickets for their transportation services, there will be a $.50 cost increase. BART hopes that the increased price will further encourage riders to switch to Clipper cards, as the paper tickets jam the already busy fare gates. More Clipper card use will increase time efficiency for the long lines of people passing through the gates. BART stations are also looking to increase their amount of Clipper card vending machines.
- Changes in the Age and Price of the Youth Discount: Prior to the new year, the youth discount gave a 62.5% price reduction that only included children from the ages of 5 to 12 years old. However, as of January 1, the youth discount will expand to include children up to 18 years old. Additionally, the youth discount will be reduced to a 50% price difference from the normal cost.
Articles by Antioch Personal Injury Attorney, Ed Smith:
- BART Noise Improvements for Commuters
- Public Hearing for New BART Stations in Antioch and Pittsburg
- BART Introduces Solar Power
Antioch Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, I’m a Personal Injury Lawyer in Antioch. If someone you love has been injured following an accident that resulted from a negligent act, you can dial (925) 428-5220 to receive friendly, free advice to help you determine if you should pursue your claim. My toll-free line is (800) 404-5400 for those calling outside the 925 area. You can connect with me online by going to AutoAccident.com.
I’m an injury lawyer that has worked collaboratively with Antioch families since 1982. I exclusively specialize in wrongful death and personal injury claims.
If you want to know more about my law firm, browse through my past clients’ evaluations on Avvo, Yelp, or Google.
I am a Million Dollar Advocate. Summaries of some of my million-dollar awards are available on my website. See my past settlements and verdicts here.
