Despite falling gas prices, fares on O.C. buses on the increase

The regular fare to ride a bus in Orange County increased by a quarter today, rising to $1.50 from $1.25 as the Orange County Transportation Authority officially began charging higher rates for the second time in 18 years.

The OCTA Board of Directors voted in November to allow an increase in fares, according to spokesman Joel Zlotnik.

Fuel costs for OCTA have risen 185% since 2005 and the organization is also facing a shortfall of at least $18 million in its annual bus operating budget, Zlotnik said.

The fare increases were also necessary because OCTA may fall behind in its "fare-box recovery," a state requirement that the agency make at least 20 cents on every dollar spent on bus service to receive state funding.

"We're sort of right on the bubble," Zlotnik said. "We're very close to dropping below that."

Other fare increases include day passes rising to $4 from $3, a weekly passes to $20 from $15, and 30-day passes to $55 from $45. Children 6 and younger still ride free.

The last time OCTA increased fares was in 2005, Zlotnik said, when the regular fare increased to $1.25 from $1.

--Ari B. Bloomekatz

Comments

[Bob Ashbaugh]

I'm amazed that the newstand price of the Orange County Register goes up 50 %, from 50 cents to 75 cents daily, and all the newspapers are silent and no letters to the editor are published about the increase. But the newspaper is quick to point out the fare increase of OCTA. Very Curious.