R91-157 ESTABLISHING BUS FARES FOR MASS TRANSIT

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y' ` • . COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM 91-208 November 12, 1991 TO: 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 30 cents in 1972, but was lowered to 15 cents from 1974-80 as the State reimbursed the City for the other half. 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 student fare is the same today as it was in 1972 . As operating expenses have increased over the years, the farebox 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 Monday, December 2, 1991 .