Fare hike approved for ACE
Altamont Commuter Express is giving people a month to comment before
the 10 percent increase goes into effect
By Bonita Brewer
Times Staff Writer
PLEASANTON -- The Altamont Commuter Express board on Monday
tentatively approved a 10 percent fare hike subject to a one-month
public comment period.
ACE board members said the hike, the first since ACE began service 2-
1/2 years ago, is needed to cover increasing costs of operating the
Central Valley-to-Silicon Valley trains, and is in line with the Bay
Area's inflation rate.
The increase would boost the $147 monthly round-trip pass from
Livermore or Pleasanton to Santa Clara to $162, and the $103 round-
trip monthly fare from Tracy to Livermore/Pleasanton to $113.
Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty said ACE is still "the best
deal in town."
"The cost of driving a car has certainly gone up," agreed ACE board
member John Harris of San Joaquin County.
But board members said fare hikes would be less jarring for ACE
riders if they were considered annually rather than every two years.
"I think in today's environment, given the operating situations of
transit agencies and the changing attitudes in Washington (regarding
transit funding), it behooves any agency to look at the fare
structure on an annual basis," said ACE board member Pete Snyder, a
BART director. "Ultimately, the public looks at it differently."
Board member Phil Pennino, chairman of the San Joaquin Regional Rail
Commission, said revenue could also be boosted if ACE does more
marketing to fill empty seats.
ACE's three morning trains can seat a total 2,520 passengers. But
they carry only 1,041 people from San Joaquin County west over the
Altamont Pass before filling up in Livermore and Pleasanton, bringing
2,200 riders south to Silicon Valley.
ACE has discussed filling the empty seats over the Altamont by
providing special discounts to major employment centers in the Tri-
Valley area, such as Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Hacienda Business
Park and Bishop Ranch.
Even discounted tickets would bring in more revenue than empty seats
do, said ACE Executive Director Stacey Mortensen.
Comments on the fare hike can be made until June 18 on ACE's Web
site, www.acerail.com, or by mailing them to ACE at 5000 S. Airport
Way, Room 201, Stockton 95206.
People can also call ACE toll-free at 1-800-411-7245, or attend the
June 18 morning board meeting at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in
Pleasanton.
ACE's draft budget for the 2001-02 fiscal year starting July 1
envisions operating costs of $10.3 million, in part reflecting a full
year's cost of running the third train and assuming a fourth train is
launched in November.
Management costs are expected to jump 27 percent to $2.3 million, and
the cost of shuttle service is expected to double to $2.6 million as
several state clean air grants for shuttle service expire. Cost of
fuel is projected to increase 79.1 percent to $760,000.
Reach Bonita Brewer at 925-847- 2120 or bbrewer@cctimes.com
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