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Caltrain to Operate New Fare Structure; Adopts POP
Following three public meetings and a public hearing, the Caltrain board at its
April meeting adopted a new fare
structure (PDF, 16.9 KB) for the rail agency and voted to move to a full
proof-of-payment system. The changes will go into effect Sept. 22, 2003.
Caltrain is restructuring its fares in an effort to improve the ease-of-use and
equitability of its fare structure. The improvements were developed over a
nine-month period, which included focus groups and stakeholder interviews. Input and
oversight of the work was conducted through a technical advisory committee comprised
of representatives from Caltrain's three member agencies, City and County of San
Francisco, the San Mateo County Transit District and the Santa Clara County Valley
Transportation Authority.
Fare structure changes include:
- Reducing the fare structure from nine-zones of varying lengths to six equal
zones.
- Replacing round-trip tickets and Weekend Passes with a Day Pass.
- Requiring the use of ticket validators for 10-ride tickets.
- Reducing ride validity periods to four hours.
- Expanding the youth discount to riders between the ages of five and 17,
currently the youth discount on most fare media is offered to children between the
ages of five and 11.
- Offering a senior/disabled/youth 10-ride Ticket.
- Eliminating the 1.89% Ticket-By-Mail discount.
- Raising the price of the Peninsula Pass to equal the price of a Muni Fast Pass.
Caltrain will discontinue acceptance of the Muni Fast Pass once operations have
begun to the relocated Bayshore station.
- Adding a zone upgrade, which allows ticket holders to upgrade any ticket to
ride beyond their normal destination without being required to pay the full base
fare again.
As part of this change, Caltrain also will finish the transition to a full
Proof-of-Payment system. Caltrain began to move towards Proof-of-Payment in August
2001, following the roll-out of ticket vending machines, when it instituted a $1
off-board discount for purchasing tickets prior to boarding.
In July 2002, Caltrain increased the off-board discount to $3, creating additional
incentive to purchase prior to boarding.
Proof-of-Payment requires every passenger to purchase a ticket prior to boarding the
train or face a citation and fine of up to $250, plus court-imposed penalties.
Conductors and fare inspectors check tickets for validity, but by eliminating onboard
ticket sales conductors will have more time for additional duties. Caltrain also
hopes to eliminate real and perceived fare evasion through the implementation of POP.
For additional fare information call 1.800.660.4287 or (TDD) 650.508.6448.
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