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Public Invited To Voice Fare Hike Opinions

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By CARL ORTH, The Suncoast News

Published: January 21, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - People can sound off on the proposed doubling of county bus fares at a public hearing Tuesday.

Stung by higher gasoline prices and other expenses, Pasco County commissioners are contemplating fares of $1 per rider starting March 1. The standard charge now is 50 cents.

Commissioners will hear comments starting at 1:30 p.m. at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road.

Fares also would double - from $2 to $4 - for most special-needs riders who reserve paratransit buses or subsidized taxi rides that arrive at their doorstep. Most trips would be limited to doctor appointments or job interviews.

The fare increases would bring in an extra $163,748, Pasco County Public Transportation Manager Mike Carroll said in November.
PCPT ridership had been booming in recent years, so commissioners have wondered how the higher fares might affect that.

As gas prices rise, so do the number of bus riders, Carroll explained at the time. In response, PCPT added bus routes and expanded hours.

At the same time, the agency was swamped with requests for paratransit service, which is reserved at least 24 hours in advance.

Besides regular fares, many other charges could go up under the proposal. For example, fares for seniors, students, the disabled and Medicare card-holders would rise from 25 cents to 50 cents.

For reduced fare paratransit bus service, eligible riders would pay $2 instead of $1.

Day and monthly passes might become more of a bargain; while the price would increase, it wouldn't double.

The regular pass for unlimited rides in a single day could rise from $1.50 to $2.50. Reduced passes would go from 75 cents to $1.25.

Offering unlimited rides for a month, the 31-day pass would cost $25 instead of the current $15 under the proposal. Reduced fare monthly passes would go from $7.50 to $14.

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