Regional Fare Integration Task Force votes for free transfers, all-agency pass

On Monday, November 15, the region’s Fare Integration Task Force — composed of transit agency general managers and the executive director of MTC — voted in favor of a Fare Policy Vision that includes a pilot all-agency pass for organizations starting in 2022, free transfers in 2023, and standardized regional fares as soon as 2024, as well as a new type of pass for individuals. The vote represented an official endorsement of the recommendations of the recently completed regional fare study, which showed that integrated fares would be a very cost-effective strategy to increase transit ridership.

This week, the region’s Fare Integration Task Force took a major step forward in voting to endorse bold new integrated fare programs for the Bay Area. (Photo by Liz Broekhuyse)

This is a major step forward for the future of seamless transit and integrated fares in the Bay Area.  But in order for these programs to become a reality, the boards of all 27 Bay Area transit agencies will need to vote to approve the recommendations.  The MTC has also identified a funding source and a schedule for the first two steps — the all-agency pilot pass for organizations, and free transfers — but has not yet taken action to approve the funding. 

More funding is still needed to standardize regional fares and create the pass for individuals. In its ask for funds from the state’s budget surplus, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has identified Fare Integration and several other steps to implement the Blue Ribbon Task Force Transformation Action Plan as potential funding opportunities.

Moving forward with fare integration is an important step to make transit more convenient and affordable, and to bring transit ridership back after the declines of COVID. But a process that requires 27 agency boards to approve measures to make transit more convenient is onerous. Fortunately, the region is starting a “network management business case study” that will examine structures to enable the region make and implement decisions to provide seamless service in a more nimble and accountable manner.

If you would like to get involved with our continued advocacy for integrated fares and help ensure that these programs are approved across the region, sign up here.