Bus fares driven up for the first time in 14 years

Deirdre Newman

Starting in January, quarters will be jingling in the pockets and

purses of bus riders countywide as one-way fares will increase from

$1 to $1.25.

The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors on

Monday approved increases in fares that will take effect Jan. 2. It’s

the first time bus fares have jumped in 14 years. The boost is

necessary to maintain current service and support future expansion,

spokesman Michael Litschi said.

“We know any increase in fares will affect our passengers, so

we’re trying to balance our desire to provide good customer service

with the need to be able to sustain bus service financially,” Litschi

said. “We’re one of the fastest-growing transit services in the

nation.”

Some frequent riders said they will feel pinched because of the

increase.

“I think it’s just like raising money just for taxes, and a lot of

people can’t afford that much,” said 15-year-old Hannah Johnson, who

was waiting at a bus stop on Harbor Boulevard Monday afternoon.

The directors approved other increases Monday. A one-day bus pass

will jump from $2.50 to $3; a 30-day bus pass will increase from

$37.50 to $45; a senior/disabled one-way bus fare will go up from 25

to 50 cents; and a senior/disabled 30-day bus pass will increase from

$10 to $15.

The increases were approved after agency staff members conducted

extensive public outreach, holding more than 20 public meetings since

July to discuss the changes. The agency received more than 300 public

comments.

One of the results of the public comments was that the

senior/disabled bus pass increased only $5 instead of the staff’s

original recommendation, which was to bump it up by $10.

“I think people were glad that we did take their comments into

account when we created the fare policy, but obviously, people are

still going to be affected by price increases, and some were

concerned about it,” Litschi said.

Also Monday, the agency reached a tentative agreement with the bus

driver union, Litschi said. The union, Teamsters Local 952, is

expected to present that agreement to its members next week for

ratification, and then it would be considered by the agency’s board

of directors, Litschi added. He said he couldn’t disclose any

specific terms of the agreement until it is approved by the board but

that it relates generally to the union wanting higher pay and better

benefits.

“At this point, it looks like we’ll be able to avoid a strike,

which is good news for [the agency] and its customers,” Litschi said.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers government. She may be reached at (714)

966-4623 or by e-mail at [email protected].