R91-157 ESTABLISHING BUS FARES FOR MASS TRANSIT

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. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM 91-2 08 November 12, 1991 T0: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: James C. Bacon, Jr. , City Manager David A. Clark, Director of Department of Community Development Robert S. Reed, Mass Transit Administrator SUBJECT: DPTS Fare Changes The City acquired the transit system from a private operator in July, 1972 . The adult fare was 30 cents at that time. It was increased to 40 cents in May, 1980 and to 50 cents in May, 1982. The student fare was 25 cents in 1972, but was lowered to 15 cents from 1974-80 as the State reimbursed the City for the remainder. After the State discontinued the elderly and student reimbursement program in 1980, the student fare was raised to 20 cents in 1980 and to 30 cents in 1982 . Thus, the current student fare is only 5 cents more than it was in 1972 . As operating expenses have increased over the years, the f arebox recovery ratio has declined below the 20� performance standard established for DPTS in 1981 . Other transit properties (e .g. , Peoria, Rockford, Rock Island) have a 60-cent adult fare. Champaign-Urbana plans to raise its fare to $1 .00 in the near future. The Decatur Public Transit System plans to implement numerous service improvements in January, 1992 at an estimated cost of $118,794. The fares proposed below would generate an additional $45 ,000-$50,000 in revenues. PRESENT PROPOSED Regular Adult. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .50 $ .60 Child (under 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .30 $ .35 Child (under 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Free Free Student (with I .D. ) School Days Only. . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .30 $ .40 Handicapped (With I .D .) . . . . . . . . $ .25 $ .30 Age 65 or Older (With I.D . ) . . . .$ .25 $ .30 Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Free Free The cost of 20-ride punchcards, monthly passes and Saturday passes will remain unchanged. Thus, any passenger can avoid the higher fares by purchasing a punchcard or pass. Upon City Council approval , the new fare structure will be implemented on Mo nday, December 2, 1991 .