New Fares Take Effect March 1, 2008

For the first time in seven years, Metro is increasing most fares and pass prices in 2008. On March 1, adult peak and off-peak fares will increase by 25 cents, and prices will increase for most passes. On July 1, youth fares and senior/disabled off-peak fares will increase by 25 cents. Prices of the monthly youth, senior/disabled and Access passes will also increase at that time. Senior/disabled peak and Access cash fares will not change.

The timing of the FlexPass increase will depend on when individual contracts between Metro and the sponsoring employers are renewed, with all contracts being revised by July 1. See table below for more information on fare increases.

During the past several years, Metro Transit has taken steps to offset rising costs and hold fares steady. This effort has limited Metro's ability to keep up with increasing demand for transit services, and it is affecting the on-time performance of bus service. The fare increase will raise $11.7 million in additional revenue annually and allow Metro to maintain and improve the reliability and dependability of its system.

Transit operating costs have increased significantly during the past seven years. Since the most recent fare increase in 2001, bus operating costs have increased by 37 percent, and fuel costs continue to rise. A 25-cent increase in fares will enable Metro to move closer to the county's target of recovering 25 percent of transit costs from the farebox.