Omnitrans to consider fare increases

Here's the release:

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Omnitrans invites community members to attend public hearings next week to provide input on proposed updates to its draft 2010 - 2015 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), which will guide the agency's bus routes and service over the next five years. The plan includes September fare increases for the agency's regular, fixed-route service and Access curb-to-curb service for qualified persons with disabilities; Omnitrans' OmniLink service fares will not be affected. In addition, service changes are proposed for Access.

"Omnitrans' last fare increase was in July 2007, more than two years prior to the implementation date proposed in this plan," said Director of Marketing Wendy Williams. "As with all businesses, our operational and labor costs continue to increase, and we must occasionally raise fares in order to continue to provide the safe, reliable and efficient service that our customers deserve."

Under the proposed plan, cash bus fare would increase from $1.35 to $1.50; the fare for seniors and persons with disabilities would increase from 55¢ to 60¢. Similarly, one-day pass prices would increase from $3.50 to $4.00 full fare, and from $1.60 to $1.85 for seniors and persons with disabilities (please see details in attached brochure).

The agency's Access service area is divided into "zones," or areas traveled, and fares are assessed accordingly. Access fares also would increase under the proposed plan, by roughly 30¢ per zone traveled ($2.45 to $2.75, for 1 - 3 zones). Several policy changes also are being proposed for this service, including an expanded service area boundary that would allow customers who currently live within a city that Omnitrans serves but outside the current Access service area to utilize the curb-to-curb service for an additional fee (please see details in attached brochure).

Staff will provide information, answer questions, and listen to comments and suggestions on all aspects of the Transit Plan from the public at each of four scheduled hearings:

Monday, January 12
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Loma Linda Community Room,
25541 Barton Rd., Loma Linda
Take Routes 2, 9, 19

Tuesday, January 13
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Norman Feldheym Library,
555 West Sixth St., San Bernardino
Take Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 215

Wednesday, January 14
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Fontana Metrolink Station,
16777 Orange Way, Fontana
Take Routes 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 61, 66, 67, 82

Thursday, January 15
10:00 a.m. - noon
Montclair Transcenter
5091 Richton Rd., Montclair
Take Routes 65, 66, 67, 68, 80

Spanish translation will be provided at all public hearings; members of the public who cannot attend but wish to obtain more information or comment may contact the Omnitrans Planning Department at (909) 379-7250 or write to: Omnitrans Planning, 1700 West Fifth St., San Bernardino, CA 92411, through February 11.

Following the hearings, Omnitrans will finalize the Short Range Transit Plan.