Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The decision was made despite the state accruing more than $2 billion in Superstorm Sandy-related expenses and tapping out its snow removal budget.

Of 169 U.S. transit agencies that participated in a 2012 APTA survey, only five cities will have higher base fares for buses than the Utah Transit Authority's $2.50 fare.

Part of planned move to an open fare payment system would eliminated extra-fare zone charges on dozens of transit routes and there would be some consolidation of zones on regional rail.

Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania Legislature were urged during a news conference to provide funds to expand transit service while reducing fares.

Starting next month, bus fares will increase by 25 cents per trip. Fares for commuter, vanpool and Dial-A-Ride services will also increase.

The increase will take effect on March 1. All the increased fares and tolls taken together are expected to bring in an additional $450 million a year.

The base fare for subways and buses could increase by 25 cents to $2.50. The increased rates would take effect in March if approved by the board.

The budget reflects a new, tentative labor agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Locals #241 and #308, which represent CTA bus and rail operators. The four-year tentative agreement slows the rate of growth in health care spending and emphasizes preventative care, among changes shaving approximately $50 million off the 2013 budget deficit.

The increases come during an era of successful and unprecedented MTA management actions to cut controllable expenses. In fact, the MTA will spend less in 2012 on its controllable costs than it did in 2011. Year-over-year controllable costs are lower by 0.3%.

A visually impaired Merced County resident wrote about GSG Merced County Transit’s plan to increase Dial-a-Ride fares by 50%, cut rural Dial-a-Ride service, and only allow trips for medical appointments for up to $10 each way for blind and visually impaired riders.