CATS Eyes Fare Hike
A ticket to hop on board Charlotte Area Transit System’s half-billion-dollar train will likely cost riders more this summer. Ditto for bus rides. CATS wants to hike transit fares and passes on all of its services starting July 1.
Prices for one-way local routes for buses and trains would bump to $2, up from $1.75, with additional projected revenues to flow into CATS coffers to the tune of nearly $2.5 million. One-way Express bus routes within Mecklenburg County would see fares increase from $2.40 to $2.75; Express routes from surrounding counties, from $3.50 to $4.
CATS officials say the fare increase is needed to maintain current levels of service, due in large part to slumping revenues from the half-cent sales tax for transit, and without it some bus routes would be – wait for it – on the chopping block. What? You expected them to maybe cut back on world-class train rides?
CATS’ proposal is the latest in a steady wave of price increases to swamp commuters, with one-way fares jumping from $1.10 in 2004 to $1.75 in 2010, when riders were hit with a 25-cent increase. For anyone keeping track at home, if the latest fare hike is approved it would mean a regular weekday commuter would be shelling out an extra $125 a year for rides.
The Metropolitan Transit Commission will hold a public hearing on March 28 to discuss the proposed fare increase. Speakers can sign up by calling 704-432-0872 or emailing mtcinterest@charlottenc.gov.
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