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On Thursday, August 16, 2007 the MTS Board of Directors considered several measures to identify recurring revenues to balance future operating budgets. About 47 percent of the MTS budget depends on sales tax revenues and economic factors such as declines in construction, housing, home and auto sales have contributed to lower-than-anticipated sales tax revenue. These factors caused a $9.2 million shortfall in the approved FY08 operating budget. (click here to view the agenda item presented to the MTS Board)
To help balance the budget the recommendations to the MTS Board of Directors included fare increases, limited service reductions, other expense reductions and new methods to increase revenue.
The MTS Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt a plan proposed by the MTS Budget Development Committee to begin implementing the necessary measures to balance the future budget. With the proposed plan approved changes to service and fare structure will begin January 2008.
The following information will provide you with more details on the upcoming changes.
To download the rider alert, click here
FARE CHANGES
Starting January 1, 2008, MTS will have a new fare structure. Some fares will be increased and other discounts will be eliminated or reduced. The full text of the new fare ordinance is available online at MTS Codified Ordinance No. 4. A second fare increase will occur on January 1, 2009, which is also shown below.
| Elimination of Transfers |
MTS is discontinuing all MTS bus-to-bus, bus-to-trolley, and trolley-to-bus transfers and will now offer the sale of a $5.00 Regional Day Pass on board all buses and at all MTS Ticket Vending Machines (not valid on MTS Premium Express service). MTS Premium Express bus service will offer a Premium Day Pass priced at $11.00. Riders may transfer from trolley-to-trolley with a valid trolley ticket for the correct number of stations. |
| Trolley |
All Trolley cash fares will remain the same. Other cash fares and monthly pass prices will change as shown in the table below. |
| Service |
Current Fare |
|
|
Transfers Allowed? |
|
One-trip Cash Fares |
| Shuttle Bus |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
No |
N/A |
| Local |
$1.75 |
$2.00 |
$2.25 |
No |
N/A |
| Urban |
$2.25 |
$2.25 |
$2.25 |
No |
N/A |
| Express |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
No |
N/A |
| Premium Express |
$4.00 |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
No |
N/A |
| Trolley |
No changes |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
No |
N/A |
| DART |
No changes |
Day Passes |
| Regular/Regional |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
| Premium/Regional |
-- |
$11.00 |
$11.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
Monthly Pass Prices |
| Adult |
$60.00 |
$64.00 |
$68.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
| Express |
$64.00 |
$64.00 |
$68.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
| Premium Express |
$84.00 |
$90.00 |
$90.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
| Youth |
$30.00 |
$32.00 |
$34.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare |
$15.00 |
$16.00 |
$17.00 |
Yes, unlimited |
$0.50 |
Regional Day Pass ($5.00)
This pass is valid for unlimited trips on MTS buses with a fare of $1.00, $2.00, $2.25, or $2.50 as well as all trolley trips until the end of the service day (4:00 a.m.). Transfers to DART require a $0.50 upgrade. You may purchase this pass on board all MTS buses and at all Trolley Ticket Vending Machines.
Premium Regional Day Pass ($11.00)
This pass is valid for unlimited trips on almost all MTS bus services, except Rural, ADA paratransit and special services (i.e. Charger's Express), until the end of the service day (4:00 a.m.). Transfers to DART require a $0.50 upgrade. You may purchase this pass on board all MTS buses and at all Trolley Ticket Vending Machines.
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