Board gets mixed response to possible bus fare increase

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published October 02, 2008

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Correction: The proposed fare for Intercity Transit’s Olympia-Tacoma Express would increase to $2.50. A story in Thursday’s edition of The Olympian included an incorrect figure.

Proposal by intercity transit

The one-way fare for adults and youths could increase to $1 from 75 cents, a 33 percent increase, for transit buses and Dial-A-Lift service. The reduced fare for seniors and people with disabilities would increase to 50 cents from 35 cents.

The cost of an adult transit pass would increase to $30 from $25 each month. The cost of a monthly transit pass for seniors, youths and people with disabilities would increase to $15 from $12.50.

The one-way commuter fare for riders on the express bus that serves Lakewood and Tacoma would increase to $2.50 from $2.

Intercity Transit has received mixed reaction to its proposed fare increases: Riders support paying more to take the bus, but vanpool commuters balk at the size of the increase.

No one testified at a public hearing Wednesday. Intercity Transit's governing body will vote on the proposals Nov. 5. If approved, they would take effect Jan. 1.

Fuel costs drive the proposals. The high cost to fill up the tank has persuaded many residents to ride a bus or vanpool, but it also costs more for the transit agency to serve them. Intercity Transit expects to spend more than $1.2 million than it budgeted this year on gasoline and diesel fuel.

The revenue from increased ridership isn't covering the higher costs. In addition, the poor economy means the agency is collecting less sales tax, its main revenue source.

Intercity Transit accepted comments on the proposed increases leading to the hearing.

The majority of people who responded supported fare increases to ride transit buses and Dial-A-Lift.

"You have the right (to) increase fares; you are still offering a responsible service to the environment and public at a reduced cost in comparison to private drivers," Marilyn Cramer wrote in a Sept. 15 e-mail to IT.

Sunny Okena wrote in an e-mail received Monday that she and her son ride the bus nearly every day, and the fare increase will be a hardship because she's unemployed. She suggested the transit agency postpone the fare increase for six months or offer a low-income pass.

Opinion was divided on the proposed fare increase for vanpools. Six people wrote to oppose the increase or to say the fares should remain unchanged. Five people wrote that they understand the need for the increase.

Vanpool riders don't pay a flat fare, so the increase could be less or more than 20 percent depending on the number of miles they travel, the size of the van and how many riders split the cost each month. The number of vanpools operated by Intercity Transit is expected to surpass 200 by year's end.

Intercity Transit last raised fares for its transit and Dial-A-Lift buses in 2001. It increased its vanpool fares in February 2007.