PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit will hold a public hearing Monday on a nine-point proposal that includes a significant price hike for monthly bus passes.
The cost of an adult base pass, good within one city, would be raised from $27 to $36 per month.
An adult premium pass, which is used for city-to-city travel, would go from $36 to $54 per month.
Transit officials said the increase is needed to cover a $250,000 shortfall in the $7.3 million operating budget.
Monday’s hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Clallam Transit System building at 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd. in Port Angeles.
If approved, the price increase would take effect in January.
General Manager Terry Weed said the last increase for bus passes was in 1997.
Cash fares were raised in July 2010.
Senior base pass
Under the current proposal, the price of a $9 senior base pass and $18 senior premium pass would be doubled.
The consolidated senior/youth/disabled discount base pass would cost $18 per month.
The premium discount pass would be $36 per month.
Cash fares would remain the same: $1 for an adult and 50 cents for seniors, youths and disabled riders in the city; and $1.50 for adults and $1 for others on longer trips.
According to Transit projections, the price increase in passes would generate $123,000 in new revenue.
The projection assumes that some riders will shift to cash fares.
On the expense side, Clallam Transit cut its total service by 5.8 percent in February to save $187,861 in annual costs.
The new proposal simplifies the pass structure so that for those who ride the bus more than 18 times a month, it’s a better deal to buy a pass. Those who ride it fewer than 18 times a month will have a better deal by paying cash.
The price increase for passes is one of nine changes Clallam Transit is proposing.
The public agency’s governing board may decide to adopt all nine or any number of the changes.
The other proposed changes are:
■ Eliminate paratransit discount tickets.
■ Require proof of eligibility for reduced-cash fares and passes.
■ Cut employer-sponsored bus pass programs from 20 percent to 5 percent.
■ Implement location-based pricing for paratransit trips.
■ Charge paratransit riders actual cost to travel of more than three-fourths of a mile off a fixed route.
■ Eliminate pro-rated bus pass sales to government entities.
■ Reduce the 10 percent commission for public bus pass outlets to 5 percent.
■ Establish a 15 percent profit target for fixed routes.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
