After two hours of debate, BART voted to raise its fares again, starting in January 2006, upping the minimum fare from $1.25 to $1.40. South Bay fares are going up an additional 10 cents, since South Bay residents don't pay additional taxes to the BART transit district (a new twist on the free-rider problem), the disabled discount is going from 75% off to 62.5% off, and $1 parking fees are going into effect in various popular East Bay stops, with West Oakland going to $5. BART's trying to close its $51 million deficit.

This is an interim proposal, to be revisited in July after BART renegotiates its labor contracts.

First Caltrain, then MUNI, then this. It's enough to make man-of-the-ghetto Jake McGoldrick cry out, "Sheriff!"