Written by Olympia Zampathas

For all of you students who were already pinching pennies, thanks to their barely affordable lifestyle San Francisco allows, you might want to start saving your quarters as well. As of September 1st, bus fare prices for Muni have been raised, courtesy of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

For the average adult Muni passenger, one Muni pass, valid for ninety minutes from the time of purchase, has been bumped up by $.25, to $2.25. For those of you who are still under eighteen, senior citizens, or disabled, the fare price remains at $.75, so no change there until 2016.

For all other casual Muni riders, carrying quarters, dimes, and nickels around just became a little more important; it could make the difference between paying $2.25 or $3 every time you ride the bus. Maybe it’s not such a crazy idea to visit the change machine in the arcade on the bottom floor of the Cesar Chavez Center once a week.

Though the jumps in price aren’t necessarily wallet-breaking, they are something to be aware of. Prices for a Muni monthly pass, in the past four years alone, have risen 9.7 percent, from $62 in 2010 to $68 this month.

Maybe this rise will have you consider applying for a Lifeline pass (if you make under twenty-two thousand dollars per year, you might qualify). Maybe it will make you find an alternative form of transportation around the City. Maybe nothing will change for you at all.

Just make sure when the fare inspectors come onto your bus, you have some proof of payment or be ready to pay a fine up to $110 that comes along with not paying.

To find out more information about Muni fares, take a look at SFMTA’s website.