Community Transit may raise fares
Published 11:07 pm Thursday, June 19, 2008
EVERETT — Just because you take the bus, don’t think you’re going to escape paying higher gas prices.
Citing the rising cost of fuel, Community Transit is thinking about raising bus fares as well as the fees charged for paratransit and vanpool services.
The transportation agency plans to take public comment on the proposed fare increases in July. If the Community Transit board agrees to the hike, new fares would be charged starting Oct. 1.
Under the proposal, local bus fares would increase 25 cents a trip and commuter fares 50 cents, with seniors still paying half of a regular adult fare.
Bus riders in north Snohomish County will be hit the hardest under the proposal, with an increase of 75 cents per trip. North commuter routes are those that originate north of the Snohomish River. They include Community Transit bus routes 421, 422, 424, 425 and 821.
North Snohomish County commuters would pay $4.50 for adults, $3.75 for youth and $2.25 for seniors.
South Snohomish County commuters would pay $3.50 for adults, $2.75 for youth and $1.75 for seniors.
Local fares would change to $1.50 for adults, $1 for youth and 75 cents for seniors.
Dial-a-Ride Transportation would increase to $1.50 for all ages. Vanpool fares would increase based on trip mileage and the size of the vehicle driven.
Community Transit anticipated a fare increase in its new six-year plan, approved by its board of directors in January. However, rising gas prices make it necessary to implement the increase now, said Joyce Eleanor, Community Transit chief executive officer, in a statement released Tuesday.
The transportation agency last raised its local bus fares in 2005, its vanpool fares in 2001 and its commuter bus fares in 2000, an agency spokesman said. While Community Transit ridership is up, fares generate less than a fifth of the cost of providing public transportation services, he said.
Public comment on the fare increases will be taken at several meetings in July. Those who wish to comment also are welcome to call 425-353-7433, e-mail fares@commtrans.org or write to Fare Increase, Community Transit, 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett, WA 98203.
Fare hearings
Community Transit plans to hear public comment on its proposed fare increases at its board of directors meeting, 3 p.m. July 3 at 7100 Hardeson Road, Everett. The public also can comment from 6 to 8 p.m. July 15 at Marysville City Hall, 4822 Grove St., and on July 16 at a Lynnwood location to be announced later.
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
