For the third time in a year and a half, Caltrain is proposing a 25 cent per zone fare increase to raise a round-trip ticket between San Mateo County and San Francisco to $8. A monthly pass would jump from $99.50 to $106 — that averages to about $5.30 a day for regular commuters from San Mateo County to San Francisco.

Despite the hefty price tag, few commuters seem concerned about the change. Only five people attended last night’s community meeting at Caltrain’s headquarters in San Carlos.

“I wouldn’t stop riding,” said Jeff Roecks, who travels daily between San Carlos and Sunnyvale. He was not at the meeting, but was one of many making their way through the San Carlos train station down the street.

Like many others, Roecks’ employer pays for his monthly pass, up to $105. So if Caltrain does approve the increase, he will only have to pay $1 a month to ride the train.

Caltrain is proposing an increase of 25 cents per zone, effective Oct. 1, 2006. The agency also wants to increase daily parking fees by 50 cents and $5 a month, giving the executive director authority to periodically raise parking rates not to exceed $5 daily or $50 a month.

The 8.3 percent fare increase will create an additional $1.4 million to offset increases in fuel costs, which are estimated to rise from $2.10 to $2.40 per gallon next year. Caltrain is paying a 30 percent increase of diesel fuel each year, which is creating a growing gap between the money it raises and the money it is spending.

On April 22, 2005, Caltrain approved a 17.5 percent fare increase, hiking the base fare by 25 percent and the zone fare by 25 cents, effective July 1, 2005. At the same meeting, the board of directors authorized a 5.6 percent increase, raising the base fare an additional 25 cents, effective Jan 1. 2006.

Parking fees will raise $185,000 a year.

Caltrain also looked at raising the base ticket fare by 25 cents, but concluded it poses a greater risk of sharp declines in ridership. Within the past 15 months, the base fare was already increased twice, while the zone fare was increased once. Caltrain is also cautious that riders might not be as pleased to pay higher as they were last year when additional express service was introduced.

The Caltrain board of directors will vote on the proposed changes at 1 p.m. Friday, June 30, Caltrain headquarters, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos. For more information visit www.caltrain.com or call 1.800.660.4287.

Proposed round trip ticket fares

San Francisco to San Mateo — $8

San Francisco to Mountain View — $11.50

San Mateo to San Jose — $11.50

San Mateo to Blossom Hill — $15

San Francisco to Gilroy (entire line) — $22

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.