In March 2024, the AC Transit Board of Directors scheduled a vote on a proposal to raise bus fares for riders by 20% over two years. Raising bus fares burdens low-income riders who have no other transportation option. Higher fares also push more people to choose to drive, increasing congestion and emissions. Recognizing these issues with the proposal, Transbay Coalition volunteers sprang into action to stop the hike. We started with a coalition letter to lay out the harmful effects of fare increases for the board. We built a coalition of 15 organizations who signed onto this letter, representing a broad range of voices – including social justice advocates, environmental groups, and community organizations from across the AC Transit service area.
In the letter, we highlighted the potential for a transit death spiral. This happens when fare increases lead to lower ridership, less revenue, less service, and even lower ridership. Transit should be affordable and more accessible to all with a sustainable long-term funding model that keeps fares affordable for riders.
Thanks to our advocacy, the AC Transit Board of Directors ultimately voted “No” to raising fares. By stopping this rate hike for now, we protected low-income riders from an unfair burden, reduced climate-harming emissions, and helped to prevent a transit death spiral.
