Caltrain set to raise fares

The new fare schedule will alternate each year from 2027 to 2030, between a 25-cent base fare increase and a 25-cent increase per additional zone traveled.

“The fare charged is equal to the base fare for their first zone of travel and then there is a zone upgrade charge for each additional charge that they travel through, and we have six zones from San Francisco to Gilroy," said Melissa Jones, deputy director of Policy Development.

By 2030, according to the staff report, the minimum fare would range between $4.50 to $18.25, depending on how many zones are traveled. The move is expected to generate about $1.5 million to $2.4 million in additional revenue from the fare increases alone.

Since electrification was completed last year, Caltrain has recovered about 65% of its pre-pandemic ridership, a substantial increase from just the year prior. But it still has a long way before it’s in a fiscally healthy position. The changes are meant to keep up with inflation but not dissuade riders, Jones said.

“It's important to note that our revenue growth primarily comes from ridership growth, not fare increases, but it really is important to keep increasing fares incrementally because it helps us keep up with inflation,” she said. “Our operating costs are projected to grow 5% each year … so fares are a really important part of our budget, and they have the potential to grow.”

The agency has also held back on hiring new full-time employees, explored property leasing opportunities and is implementing more flexibility in its pricing structure for charter trains. If Bay Area voters pass the sales tax ballot measure in 2026, a large amount of funding will also go to the agency to shore up its deficit.

Board Member David Cohen was opposed to schedule increases several years in advance, however, most board members were in favor of the recommendations.

“I know and understand that if we want to make any changes in the future, we absolutely have the ability to do so,” Board Member Shamann Walton said.