Heads up, commuters! Some changes are coming to BART fares and tickets in the new year.

All fares will be going up 2.7 percent starting Jan. 1, 2018, including discounted tickets. The price hike occurs every other year to keep up with inflation.

In addition to the across-the-board fare increase, BART will also start charging a 50-cent fee for any riders using the paper tickets with a magnetic strip.

"The extra cost is being added to encourage customers to use Clipper for fare payment," a BART press release reads.

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BART will also be making it a little easier to get a Clipper card. By the beginning of January, the transit agency promises all stations will have at least one Clipper vending machine, which will sell the rechargeable cards for $3.

"In the coming months, Clipper and BART will have promotional events to distribute free Clipper cards to low-income riders for whom the fee could be a hardship," the press release continues.

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While most riders will end up paying more for a train ride come 2018, more young people will be getting a break. Currently, children ages 4-12 are eligible for youth discounts. Starting in January, anyone 18 or younger will be able to get the 50 percent discount.

Seniors will still get a 62.5 percent discount rate.

New rates aren't the only change on the way for BART riders. The agency is planning to roll out its fleet of new trains, which are designed to be quieter and have more standing room. The new cars were meant to be put in rotation by Thanksgiving, but a glitch put their systemwide launch on hold.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.