Capital Metro Board Approves January Fare Increase
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION::
| Adam Shaivitz | Misty Whited | Erica McKewen |
| (512) 369-6027 | (512) 389-7572 | (512) 369-6085 |
| (512) 844-5153 cell | (512) 844-5090 cell | (512) 401-7665 cell |
Capital Metro Board Approves January Fare Increase
Fare for Senior, Disabled Riders to Remain Free November 4, 2009NEWS FACTS
- Today, the Capital Metro Board of Directors approved a fare proposal that will increase fares for local and express bus, MetroRail, MetroAccess, and RideShare services. Seniors, riders with disabilities and Medicare cardholders will continue to ride for free.
- Local bus fare will increase to $1.00, pending further action by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). In accordance with SB 1263 of the 81st Texas Legislature, CAMPO can veto the single-ride base bus fare within 60 days from today.
- The new fares will take effect Monday, Jan. 18, 2010.
- The $1.00 base fare was previously approved by a Local Government Approval Committee in 2008. The increase was planned to take effect in August of next year, but now has been accelerated to January 2010.
- The fare increase is one part of a long-range financial sustainability plan to help Capital Metro mitigate the rising costs of providing transportation services to the Central Texas region, especially during these difficult economic times.
- Capital Metro has been involved in an extensive, thorough outreach process to educate riders and the community about the proposed fares.
- Throughout the process, Capital Metro has sought federal guidance and assistance to ensure our actions comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
| Service | Current Fares | Fares effective Jan. 18, 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Local Bus Single Ride Adult | $0.75 | $1.00* |
| Local Bus Single Ride Reduced | $0.35 | $0.50* |
| Local Metro Day Pass | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| Express Bus Single Ride Adult | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| Express Bus Single Ride Reduced | $0.75 | $1.25 |
| Express Bus Day Pass | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| MetroRail - 1 zone | $1.00 | $2.00 |
| MetroRail - 2 zones | $1.50 | $3.00 |
| MetroRail-Day Pass Adult | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| MetroAccess Single Ride fare (for info only) | $0.70 | $1.20 |
| Seniors, disabled persons, Medicare cardholders | Free** | Free** |
| Local Bus - 31-day Metro Pass | $18.00 | $28.00 |
| Local Bus - 31-day Reduced Metro Pass | $9.00 | $14.00 |
| Local Bus - 7-day Metro Pass | $7.00 | $8.00 |
| Express Bus 31-day Pass | $36.00 | $63.00 |
| Express Bus 31-day Reduced Pass | $18.00 | $31.50 |
| Stored Value Card ($15 Value Stored) | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| MetroAccess-Monthly Pass | $22.50 | $35.00 |
| MetroAccess 10-Ride Booklets | $7.00 | $12.00 |
| MetroRail 31-day Pass | $36.00 | $70.00 |
| RideShare - In Service Area | $45.00 | $60.00 |
| RideShare - Out of Service Area | $45.00+ mileage | $60.00+ mileage |
**To receive the free fares, persons must have a valid Capital metro issued ID, which is valid for two years and costs $5. Seniors are defined as persons 65 and over.
QUOTES
- "Increasing fares is always difficult, especially during the current economic climate. The Board of Directors carefully considered the range of issues and made the prudent business decision to increase fares and forgo the use of one-time stimulus funds towards operating expenses. The fare increase will bring Capital Metro another step closer to reaching its fare recovery rate goal and improving its long-range financial sustainability."
-- Doug Allen, Capital Metro Interim President/CEO
ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro's mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. With the highest per capita ridership in Texas, Capital Metro serves more than 3,000 bus stops with metro, flyer and express routes and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.
Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to begin soon between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200