MISSOULA, Mont. — The Mountain Line transit system launched its zero-fare program this week allowing riders of its fixed route and door-to-door services, the Missoulian reported.
Agency officials estimate the change will boost ridership 45% in the next three years. The three-year Zero-fare demonstration project is sponsored by 14 different community partners, according to the report.
Funding for the pilot program came from a variety of sources, including local, state or federal funds and partnerships. These funds take the place of the revenue a public transit system would otherwise collect from passengers. For the full story, click here.
Correction: This story incorrectly reported that the project cost the agency an additional $400,000 a year. It is actually a redistribution of existing transit funds from 14 different partner organizations, and is not associated with any additional costs with the agency.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The project was awarded under the Washington State Contract, enabling FAX to streamline its procurement processes while ensuring value and quality from an experienced transit solutions provider, said officials.
The historic initiative represents the first time since MARTA began bus operations in the early 1970s that the entire system has been redrawn from scratch.
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