10% GOLDEN GATE TRANSIT
FARE INCREASE APPROVED FOR JULY 1, 2004


On Friday, May 14, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation Distinct (District) approved a 10% bus and ferry transit fare increase effective July 1, 2004. Bus fares increase from 20 to 65 cents and ferry fares rise from 30 to 55 cents. Discount programs continue based on new fares:

  • Commuters receive 20% discount when using discount ticket books.
  • Youth traveling within Marin County receive 25% discount when using Marin County Youth Ticket Books and they receive a 25% discount off the adult cash fare when traveling outside of Marin.
  • Seniors and persons with disabilities receive 50% discount of the adult cash fare.

Bus and Ferry Fares Effective July 1, 2004

Marin County Offers New Discount Program
Beginning July 1, 2004, a new discount program is now being offered by the Marin County Transit District. Those that ride GGT buses within Marin County may now ride for an effective fare of $1.80, a 10% discount off the new July 1 Marin local fare of $2.00, when using the new Marin County Adult Discount Ticket Book which costs $36 for 20 tickets.  Marin County Transit District (MCTD) is the agency that sets the level of bus service and fares for travel within Marin County. Golden Gate Transit operates the MCTD sponsored local service under contract with MCTD and more than 50% bus ridership occurs as local bus rides within Marin.

Marin Local Discount Tickets Books are available at Golden Gate Market, Sausalito; Longs Drugs, Marin City; Miller Avenue Chevron Mill Valley; Strawbridges, Mill Valley; Larkspur Ferry Terminal, 101 E. Sir Francis Drake, Larkspur; More for Less, San Rafael; San Rafael GGT Administration, 1011 Andersen Drive, San Rafael; Bell Market, Novato.


The fare increases will generate about $1.1 million added annual revenue with a 2% to 4% patronage loss resulting from the fare increase factored in. Discount fare programs for commuters (20%) seniors (50%), disabled (50%), and youth (20%) remain in effect based on the new fares.


Additional Background Information
The District (bridge, bus and ferry) is operated with only four funding sources: Golden Gate Bridge tolls, Golden Gate Bus and Ferry transit fares, very limited government grants and other (advertising, concessions, gift store at GGB, etc.). The District does not receive state gas tax funds or other funds of this nature to operate.

The District is facing a projected $131 million 5-year shortfall and strategies are under developed to both reduce costs and increase revenues, and transit fares are a part of this effort. Transit ridership remains depressed due to continuing economic downturn that has delayed job formation and reduced overall travel. GGT bus and ferry fares have been increased annually since 1998. A Public Hearing was held on this proposal on April, 9 2004, and 104 public comments were received from 72 individuals.

Current $142.8 million District-wide Budget for FY ending June 30, 2004 is funded with the following resources:
$84 million from tolls (59%)
$13.9 million from toll reserves (10%)
$19.8 million from fares (13%)
$18.7 million from grants (13%)
$ 6.4 million from sources like advertising (5%)

Of the $142.8 million budget, $87.6 million is for transit and is funded as follows:
$33.3 from tolls (38%)
$13.9 million from toll reserves (16%)
$19.8 from fares (23%)
$18.7 from grants (21%)
$1.9 million from sources like advertising (2%)

Today, transit ridership remains depressed due to continuing problems with the economy that has delayed job formation and reduced overall travel. The November 2003, bus service reductions of 22% of service hours did resulted in decreased bus ridership and the reductions is in keeping with what was projected, a loss of about 14%.

Bus Ridership was down 11.1% cumulatively FY 2001-2003, the lowest since 1990.
Ferry Ridership was down 13.3% cumulatively FY 2001-2003, the lowest since 1998.
Bridge Traffic was down 8.5% cumulatively FY 2001-2003, the lowest since 1984.