Oakland, Calif.-based Bay Area Rapid Transit announced it will increase fares on Jan. 1, 2026, to keep pace with inflation.
On New Year’s Day, fares will increase 6.2 percent. Rate hikes will differ based on the length of the trip. For example, for a trip from Downtown Berkeley to 19th St. and Oakland, the fare will increase 15 cents, but for longer trips such as those from Antioch to Montgomery, the fare will increase 55 cents. Average fares will go up, 30 cents to $5.18, up from $4.88.
“As we ask the region for greater investments and support for BART while also making internal cuts to reduce costs, we also must ask our riders to contribute more towards their trips,” said BART Board President Mark Foley. “We will continue our commitment to enhance efficiencies and implement strict cost controls.”
BART said its current funding model relies on passenger fares to pay for operations. The increase in fares will allow the agency to pay for operations as well as work toward restoring financial stability. Fares continue to be an important funding source for meeting the needs of BART riders, as well as to attract new riders, the agency said.
The fare increase is expected to generate $15.6 million for the transit agency in 2026. Fare calculators and trip planners on BART’s website have been updated with the new fares for trips on Jan. 1 and beyond.
BART will also change parking prices on Jan. 1.
The fare increases come as BART faces a $376 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2027. Officials with the agency said it must modernize its funding sources to align better with other transit systems across the country that receive larger amounts of public funding.