The BART Board just approved a fare hike, effective January 1, 2014, that will raise fares across the board 5 percent. What does this mean for your daily life? In-city trips will go from $1.75 to $1.85, one way, and the most expensive roundtrip fare, from Pittsburg-Bay Point to SFO, will go from $22.10 to $23.30.

Also, as promised, they approved a hike in parking fees as early as June 1, which is similarly modest. In the seven lots where there is currently free BART parking, it will now be $1 a day, and in lots where it's not free, there will be a cap of $3 a day, with prices adjusted for crowdedness. (The cost to park in lots that are 95 percent full or higher will rise 50 cents every six months.)

Now, about those express trains...

[Mercury-News]