The cost of commuting in the Bay Area will increase starting January 1, 2026, due to higher tolls on state-owned bridges and fare hikes for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. These adjustments come as local transit authorities grapple with significant budget shortfalls and rising operational costs.
Increased Tolls on State-Owned Bridges
As part of these changes, all tolls on the region’s seven state-owned toll bridges will rise by 50 cents. This adjustment affects bridges including the Bay Bridge, Antioch, Benicia, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, and San Mateo. For standard two-axle vehicles, the toll will increase from $8 to $8.50. Larger vehicles, such as freight trucks, will also face similar hikes.
According to the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), the additional revenue will be allocated exclusively for maintenance, rehabilitation, and operational costs associated with the bridges, as well as servicing debt on bonds issued by BATA. This toll increase, approved in 2024, marks the beginning of a series of hikes that will be phased in annually through 2030.
To promote the use of the FasTrak electronic tolling system, users who opt for license plate accounts or invoiced tolling will incur a premium fee ranging from $0.25 to $1.00, effective in 2027. Starting January 1, new regulations regarding carpools will also apply, requiring three-person occupancy to qualify for discounted tolls during peak weekday hours.
BART Fare Increases Amid Financial Challenges
In conjunction with the toll hikes, BART fares will rise by 6.2%, which translates to an average increase of 30 cents, from $4.88 to $5.18. Specific routes will see varying increases; for example, the fare for a short trip between Downtown Berkeley and 19th Street in Oakland will rise by 15 cents, while the fare for the longer journey from Antioch to the Montgomery station in San Francisco will increase by 55 cents.
BART officials have stated that the fare increase is necessary to address a projected budget deficit of $376 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite the fare increases, BART has implemented cost-saving measures that include $35 million in cuts and ongoing cost controls to balance its budget. The agency plans to defer an additional $108 million in costs while maintaining current service levels.
Mark Foley, BART Board President, emphasized the need for greater regional investment in transit services while also recognizing the financial burden on riders. “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,” he stated on December 2.
In addition to fare hikes, parking rates at BART stations will also increase due to inflation. Most daily parking fees will rise by 40 cents, while rates at high-demand stations such as Glen Park, MacArthur, Rockridge, and Walnut Creek will see a 30% increase in accordance with agency policy.
As commuting costs rise in the Bay Area, voters in five counties are expected to consider a transportation sales tax in 2026. This tax would provide funding for transit systems, including BART, potentially alleviating some of the financial pressures facing public transportation in the region.
