Caltrain fare hikes roll toward public hearing

Early next month the public will be able to comment on the proposed changes to Caltrain fares and station parking fees, Caltrain officials said Wednesday.

Caltrain officials will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. Nov. 5 in the second floor auditorium of the Caltrain Administrative Headquarters, agency officials said.

The headquarters is located at 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, and the hearing will be held during the board of directors meeting, according to agency officials.

Caltrain is proposing to increase the adult fare by 50 cents, which would apply to Day Passes, 8-ride tickets and monthly passes, Caltrain officials said.

Discount fares would remain at 50 percent of the adult fare and Clipper Card users would still get a discount of about 15 percent, agency officials said.

Officials are also proposing to increase the daily and monthly parking fees from $5 and $50 to $5.50 and $55.

Community members have commented about both changes at four community meetings earlier this month, according to Caltrain officials.

The public can continue to comment by mail, email or phone until the public hearing, Caltrain officials said. Comments can be mailed to Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, JPB Secretary, P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070-1306.

Comments can be sent by email to changes@caltrain.com or made by phone at (800) 660-4287 or TTY at (650) 508-6448.

The board of directors are planning to vote on the proposed changes at their Dec. 3 meeting, according to Caltrain officials.

The changes to fares, if approved, would go into effect Feb. 28 and the parking fee changes July 1, Caltrain officials said.

The agency last adjusted its fares Oct. 5, 2014, according to agency officials.