Increase is necessary to address rising costs and ensure ongoing state funding
Feb. 5, 2013
ORANGE – A fare increase approved last year by the Orange County Transportation Authority board will go into effect on Sunday, Feb. 10.
The increase is necessary to address rising costs and ensure the agency maintains a state-mandated 20 percent farebox recovery ratio, which is required to be eligible for state funding.
OCTA’s bus system is primarily funded by the state and in order to continue receiving this money, the agency is required to collect from passengers a minimum of 20 cents for every dollar spent on bus service. Without the increase, OCTA would fall below the mark and place in jeopardy funding for the entire transit system.
The fare increase is approximately 20 percent:
- Cash fare increases from $1.50 to $2
- Day pass increases from $4 to $5
- 30-day pass increases from $55 to $69
To help riders offset the impact of the increase, OCTA is offering a new discounted five-ride pass for $9, as well as a 10 percent discount on pre-paid day passes. In addition, OCTA will offer non-profit agencies a 5 percent discount on the purchase of bulk passes through OCTA’s vendor program.
The last fare increase took place in January 2009. Since then, the cost to provide bus service has increased from $98 per service hour to $108. An additional fare adjustment was planned in 2011; however, an increase in sales tax allowed OCTA to avoid raising fares.
It is predicted that the fare increase will result in $6.4 million in additional revenue to maintain current levels of bus service and help cover rising operating costs.
For more information about fare pricing and discounts go to www.octa.net/busfares.
