As of January 1, 2008, BART will be increasing ticket fees anywhere between ten and 30 cents. The adjustment is the second in a series of four scheduled fare increases.

In May of 2003 the BART Board of Directors made the decision to increase the fare every other year.

According to the BART Web site, the price of gas has gone up 30 percent since their last fee increase. The average BART rider will pay 21 cents per mile, compared to 52 cents per mile if they drive, according to the Web site.

Students who use BART to travel to SF State have mixed feelings about the fare increase.

SF State student Luis Rodriguez travels on BART from Oakland to Daly City five days a week.

“I spend eight dollars a day already,” said Rodriguez. “It sucks, but what can I do about it? It’s still a more efficient way to go.”

Chris Norberg said while he opts not to drive because of parking and traffic, he isn’t too keen on the idea of having to pay more than he already does.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it and I’m not too happy about it,” said Norberg, who catches the train from Pleasanton to Daly City two days a week. “It’s going to cost me more and it takes me a while to find parking there too.”

To try and ease people’s minds, BART is also introducing a newer, faster schedule at the same time as their “modest fare adjustment”.

According to BART, riders can expect to see more trains after 7 pm Monday through Friday, and a “33 percent increase in service, faster commutes, and better SFO/Millbrae service.”

Leslie Santiago doesn’t have a car, but said even if she did own a car, she would still choose to take BART, despite the increase.

“I pay 35 dollars a week and it’s hard, especially being in college,” said Santiago, a SF State student who comes from Oakland's Fruitvale district five days a week. “I have financial aid and a lot of people might not think 30 cents is a lot, but it adds up. But even if I had a car I wouldn’t drive because I’ve always heard that it’s really hard to find parking and the permit costs too much for me.”

For more information visit the BART Web site at www.bart.gov/news.