RTA News

 

May 16, 2006

 

RTA Board approves fare increase – first in 13 years

 

CLEVELAND – Pushed by fuel costs that have more than tripled in recent years, the Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) today approved the first system-wide fare increase since 1993.

 

To lessen the impact on customers, the Board approved a two-step increase. Most fares will increase 25 cents on July 1, 2006, and 25 cents on Jan. 7, 2008.

 

“More than 90 percent of RTA customers either purchase passes or qualify for reduced fares,” says CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. “This means the average fare we collect per ride is far less than the established cash fares. In 2005, we saw collected an average of 69 cents. If the current mix of riders continue, today’s action will increase the average fare by 14 cents in July, and 14 more cents in 2008.”

 

Calabrese notes that farebox revenue is not used for capital projects, such as the Euclid Corridor.

 

Customer surveys showed overwhelming support for balancing the budget with a fare increase instead of service reductions, Calabrese says.

 

Highlights of today’s action:

 

• RTA is moving toward a common fare for bus and rail. All passes will be accepted for full fare after July 1.
• Park-N-Ride bus customers and Football Flyer customers will pay a bit more for premium service.
• Weekly and monthly passes are being added for seniors/disabled.
• The discount continues for seniors/disabled.
• Although Federal law allows RTA to charge more than the base rate, Paratransit customers will continue to pay only the base rate
• ADA clients can continue to use fixed-route bus and rail service at no charge.

 

Background

• According to the American Public Transportation Association, no major transit system in the nation has gone without a fare increase longer than RTA.
• Fuel costs have risen: $4 million in 2002 to an estimated $14 million in 2006.
• RTA uses about 5.4 million gallons of fuel each year, so a penny increase in diesel fuel adds $54,000 to RTA’s operating budget.
• Because of a commitment to the environment, RTA uses ultra low sulfur “clean diesel” fuel, which costs about 12 cents more per gallon.
• In recent years, RTA has reduced its workforce by 366 positions, reduced its fleet by 106 buses, consolidated garages and increased productivity. As a result, RTA has eliminated more than $25 million annually from its operating budget.
• In recent years, State funding for transit has been cut by 63 percent.
• RTA ridership: About 200,000 on an average weekday, and more than 57 million in 2005. The agency has put together three straight years of ridership growth.
• Eight public hearings were held in late April and early May.
• In 1993, the date of the last fare increase, the average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $1.07.

 

“Despite these necessary increases, RTA still remains a bargain -- the most cost-effective way to travel,” Calabrese says.

 

How will RTA’s fare increase affect you?

 

Bus:

• $1.25 Local cash fare will rise to $1.50 in July, and $1.75 in 2008.
• Local and Express cash fares, tickets and passes will be equal.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008.
• $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008
• $11.25 Weekly Pass will go to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008.
• $45 Monthly Pass will go to $58 in July and $63 in 2008.

 

Rapid:

• $1.50 cash fare will rise to $1.75 in July.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008.
• $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008.
• $13.50 Weekly Pass will go to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008.
• $54 Monthly Pass will go to $58 in July and $63 in 2008.

 

Community Circulators:

• $0.75 cash fare will be the same in July and $1 in 2008.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $3.75 in July and $5 in 2008.

 

Park-N-Ride bus service:

• Affects #51F, #239, #246, #251, #263 and #451
• $1.50 cash fare will rise to $1.75 in July, and $2 in 2008.
• Riders can pay 25 cents extra when using a regular bus/rail ticket.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $8.75 in July and $10 in 2008.
• $3 All-Day Pass will go to $3.50 in July and $4 in 2008.
• $13.50 Weekly Pass will go to $17.50 in July and $20 in 2008.
• $54 Monthly Pass will go to $63 in July and $70 in 2008.

 

Seniors/disabled:

• 50-cent cash fare will rise to 60 cents in July and 75 cents in 2008.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $3 in July, $3.75 in 2008.
• $1 All-Day Pass will go to $1.25 in July and $1.75 in 2008.
• Weekly Pass (new), $6 in July and $7.50 in 2008
• Monthly Pass (new), $24 in July and $29 in 2008

 

Out-of-county:

• $2.50 cash fare will rise to $2.75 in July, and $3 in 2008, for routes that extend out-of-the-county for more than one mile.
• No additional charge for seniors/disabled
• Persons using a bus/Rapid ticket will pay an additional $1.25.
• Persons using a Park-N-Ride ticket will pay an additional $1.

 

Students:

• $1 for a single-ride ticket will rise to $1.25 in July and $1.50 in 2008.
• Available only to authorized schools

 

Children ages 6-12:

$1 Children’s All-Day Pass goes to $1.25 in July and $1.75 in 2008.

Up to three children under age six can ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

 

Paratransit:

• $1.25 cash fare will rise to $1.50 in July and $1.75 in 2008.
• 5-ride tickets will go to $7.50 in July and $8.75 in 2008.
• $11.25 Weekly Pass will rise to $15 in July and $17.50 in 2008.
• $45 Monthly Pass will rise to $58 in July and $63 in 2008.
• Paratransit customers and seniors with special passes can continue to ride free on RTA fixed-route service.

 

Football Flyers:

• $2.50 cash fare each way. No passes will be accepted.

 

Questions? Send e-mail to fares@gcrta.org or call 216-621-9500.

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Jerry Masek, 216-566-5211