Valley Metro bus, Light Rail fares to go up July 1

Valley Metro bus and light rail fares are set to increase on Wednesday, July 1st.
 
Officials say the hike is due to a continual increase in the cost to provide service.

A one-ride trip on the local bus, light rail or LINK bus (which makes stops between Superstition Springs Center and Sycamore Station) will cost $1.75 instead of $1.25.
 
An all-day pass will cost $3.50 instead of $2.50.

"We understand the financial burden this places on our bus and rail passengers in the Valley and we'd prefer that the fares weren't going up," Valley Metro RPTA executive director David A. Boggs said.

According to Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA), the funding for Valley Metro has considerably decreased since it is based on revenues from sales tax, which are declining as operational costs are increasing.

All other day passes and reduced day passes, except for the seven-day passes, are also scheduled to increase.

In order to keep up with Valley Metro, fares for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Dial-a-Ride in Phoenix and the East Valley were also approved to increase by the Phoenix City Council.

See a complete list of fare increase below:

Bus and Light Rail

Fare Type	Current Pricing	July 1, 2009	Fare Policy Rules
LOCAL
Cash	$1.25	$1.75	Base cash fare for bus or light rail
1-Day On-Board	$2.50	$5.25	3 x base fare
1-Day Off-Board	$2.50	$3.50	2 x base fare
3-Day	$7.50	$10.50	3 x 1-day off-board
7-Day	$17.50	$17.50	5 x 1-day off-bus
31-Day	$45.00	$55.00
EXPRESS
Cash	$1.75	$2.75	Base fare + $1.00
1-Day On-Board	$3.50	$7.25	Local on-board 1-day + $2.00
1-Day Off-Board	$3.50	$5.50	Local off-board 1-day + $2.00
31-Day	$68.00	$85.00
REDUCED
Cash	$0.60	$0.85	0.5 x base fare
1-Day On-Board	$1.25	$2.60	0.5 x local on-board 1-day
1-Day Off-Board	$1.25	$1.75	0.5 x local off-board 1-day
3-Day	$3.75	$5.25	0.5 x local 3-day
7-Day	$8.75	$8.75	5 x 1-day off-bus
31-Day	$22.50	$27.50
SEMESTER PASS
Spring/Fall	$160.00	$195.00
Reduced Spring/Fall	$80.00	$97.50	0.5 x Semester pass
Summer	$105.00	$125.00
Reduced Summer	$52.50	$62.50	0.5 x Semester pass