Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Because of the agency’s budgetary problems, an APTA review recommended it cut or raise rates on a program that provides free transportation for college students, whose colleges pay an annual fee to participate.

The free ride program, which will cost the city some $16 million annually in lost ticket sales, has surpassed expectations, with ridership up 10%.

Those who qualify for lower transit fares or are in the free-rides program won't be able to open a prepaid debit account when the agency's versions of the new Ventra fare card are available. The restriction was set to protect seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents from potential problems.

Transit and Parking Services launched a free shuttle service for anyone on the campus, since parking has become more difficult due to the campus becoming more built up and the city of Corvallis rapidly expanding.

Other recent changes made to the agency’s paratransit program include in-person interviews to determine eligibility for CherryLift, with applicants no longer able to ride the service during the 21-day approval process.

The free passes, which will be distributed to more than 170,000 people over the next year-and-a-half, can be used for up to four free trips on the Staten Island Railway, the subway system or on local buses.

A state representative asked the state’s Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee for $9 million for an experiment testing how free fares would increase ridership, helping clean air pollution during two of the most challenging months for air quality.

USF Student Government is covering the monthly fee of $2,475 for the rides. The cost is based on ridership fare loss.

Program possible though budgeting and $30,000 anonymous gift.

The seats will be available from Jan. 6 to Feb. 28, 2013 on the company's website with the use of a promo code.