Community Corner

Metro General Manager Recommends Fare Hike

Sarles: 'Better is not free.'

The proposed fiscal year 2013 budget for Metro will increase to $1.6 billion to allow for continued upgrades to improve the safety and reliability of the aging system.

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles presented his budget to the Metro Board Thursday.

“The proposed operating and capital budgets allow us to further enhance safety, continue the rebuilding effort, and advance important service enhancements, such as increased preventive maintenance of escalators, enhanced bus corridor service and added rail rush hour service in preparation for the Silver Line," said Sarles in a statement.

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Sarles calls for cost-sharing to fund the budget, including a proposed $53 million (eight percent) increase from the jurisdictions and a 5 percent increase in SmarTrip fares.

According to a press release from the transit agency, the proposed rail fare adjustments would:

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  • Eliminate the peak-of-the-peak (POP) surcharge
  • Increase peak-period SmarTrip fares (used by 4 out of 5 riders) by an average of less than five percent with a maximum peak fare of $5.75
  • Better align off-peak SmarTrip fare structure to peak-period fare structure, which would: 
               Increase base off-peak fare from $1.60 to $1.70 per trip
               Index off-peak mileage fares to peak fares
  • Set the maximum off-peak fare at $3.50.
  • Simplify paper farecard pricing to two-period flat-fares – a $6 flat fare during peak periods and $4 off peak (Paper farecards are primarily used by occasional riders and out-of-town visitors.)
  • Eliminate the short-trip pass and day pass

The proposed bus fare adjustments would:

  • Increase SmarTrip local bus fares by a dime, from $1.50 to $1.60
  • Round cash boarding to nearest dollar -- $2 for local/limited stop bus; $4 for express bus (no change to airport routes)

The proposal also includes a 25-cent increase in parking fees, rebalances the number of reserved parking permits, and decreases the bike locker rental fee to $120 annually. MetroAccess fares would be adjusted commensurate with rail and bus increases, with a maximum of $7.40 per trip.

“Better is not free,” Sarles said in a prepared statement. “And as we are playing catch up and building a better Metro that benefits all our stakeholders, we are asking everyone to contribute.”


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