Valley Metro public transportation board members are considering a potential fare increase expected to begin July 2012 to offset the increasing operation costs.
The proposal would see rates jump from $1.75 to $2 for one-ride fares, $3.50 to $4 for all-day passes, $55 to $64 for 31-day passes and $85 to $96 for express 31-day passes.
Rates could also rise for the ASU U-Pass, the Phoenix and East Valley ADA Dial-a-Ride service and the Platinum Pass.
Valley Metro spokeswoman Susan Tierney said the company’s goal is to elevate the 23 percent of profits received from the bus and light rail fares to 25 percent.
“The policy they have given us as a goal to try to reach is that we try to maintain that 25 percent of our fare recovery so that 25 percent of our operation (costs) can come from fare boxes,” Tierney said.
Valley Metro plans to host several public meetings starting Tuesday to gather public feedback before deciding how to move forward.
“The public input is very important because we know the input we get from our passengers and our communities that we serve is very important to the people making the decisions, which is our board of directors,” Tierney said.
Tierney said recent surveys with Valley Metro customers have revealed they would “rather pay a little bit more for service than have service cuts.”
Sue Taaffe, Tempe community outreach marketing coordinator, said even if the fare increase happens, Tempe transit services might require further action to balance the city’s transit budget.
Taaffe said the city might have to look into other options, such as adding a 50 cent fee to Tempe’s free Orbit bus service.
Proposed strategies like the Orbit fee are part of a three-year plan from the city to reduce an $18 million transit budget deficit, she said.
Taaffe said Tempe officials might host public feedback meetings in February or March to gauge how to proceed with the budget.
“We’ll be going back out to the public to ask for input on how to finish balancing Tempe’s transit budget,” Taaffe said. “So this fare increase, if it happens, it doesn’t really affect Tempe as far as what we still have to cut.”
Secondary English education junior Monika George said she rides the Orbit bus around four times a week. She said the potential of a fee increase doesn’t seem fair.
“I ride the Orbit four times a week. That’s $2, I do it for free (now),” George said. “It doesn’t seem fair that I have to pay to go down the street on something that used to be free, why are they increasing the price?”
George said she would be fine with paying 50 cents a ride if the Orbit came promptly every 10 minutes, but is wary of a fare increase.
“If we let them raise it now, what’s to stop them from raising it in the future and making it more and more expensive?” George asked.
Reach the reporter at brennan.j.smith@asu.edu
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