FoS.blog: The Friends of Seattle blog

Times Editorial Board Applauds Metro Fare Increase

The Seattle Times editorial board likes the $0.25 Metro fare increase.

A 25-cent bump in adult fares on Metro Transit will help keep buses rolling and routes expanding. That is worth an extra two bits.

The King County bus system is not immune to the same soaring fuels costs that helped fill bus seats with a record number of passengers. County Executive Ron Sims has a stark choice: raise rates in October or cut service.

We agree with the Times's conclusions. But again, soaring transit-ridership numbers suggest that Seattle needs more than light rail to Northgate and streetcar lines in the city center. Better, expanded bus service would help too. Doug McDonald has some great ideas for improving local bus service, but we don't necessarily endorse his assessment of Sound Transit.

Metro Will Increase Regular Fare by $0.25

The Times has the story:

The proposed increase, to begin Oct. 1, is meant to offset the skyrocketing price of diesel fuel, said County Executive Ron Sims, who announced the plan Thursday morning.

It would be the second fare increase this year. Metro raised prices a quarter in March to catch up with inflation. Before that, fares hadn't gone up since 2001.

If approved, the new fares would be $2 for a single-zone ride at peak times, or $2.50 for a two-zone trip across the Seattle city limits.

Monthly passes would rise $9 a month, while employer-subsidized FlexPasses would increase 12 to 15 percent. Youth fares of 75 cents and senior fares of 50 cents would stay the same. Access van rides for people with disabilities would increase a quarter, to $1. People who already have a yearly pass can keep using them, without paying a surcharge, said Jill Krecklow, county transportation finance manager.

Regardless of the fare increase, Metro is a good deal.