Next stop: Higher bus, train fares in Twin Cities?

Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune file

The increases proposed by the Met Council for October may not be the end of the line.

By JIM FOTI and RODRIGO ZAMITH, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: June 24, 2008 - 8:52 AM

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High fuel costs have Twin Cities commuters flocking to buses and trains, but mass transit may soon be less of a bargain: Fares across the metro area could rise by 25 cents on Oct. 1, with the possibility of another increase -- of as much as 50 cents more per ticket -- sometime next year.

For a cash-paying commuter using single tickets, the increases could add up to an extra $1.50 a day.

The October increases would take effect across the region's bus systems, affect all fare categories and include the Hiawatha light-rail line. The Met Council is expected to vote Wednesday to initiate the public hearing process and would likely take a final vote in August. Any increases for 2009 would be nailed down at a later date.

The higher cost of fuel "increases ridership, which is good for transit, but also increases our operating costs," Peter Bell, Met Council chairman, said Monday.

Metro Transit, the largest agency affected by the increases, is seeing its highest ridership levels since 1984. In the first quarter of this year, it gave 19.2 million rides, a 7.2 percent increase over last year, and Bell expects the total for the year to top 80 million. Suburban-based bus services are experiencing a similar boom.

Fares were last raised July 1, 2005. Bell says the increase is needed because of fuel expenses, higher employee costs and lower-than-expected state revenues, particularly those from the motor vehicle sales tax.

The tax is "an exceedingly volatile funding source," said Bell, noting that when the economy tightens, purchases of new vehicles are often the first thing that consumers put off.

"Transit systems across the country are feeling the same pinch we are," said Bell, and are also increasing their fares. Twin Cities-area fares are "pretty much in the middle in the pack," he said.

Fare revenues cover about 29 percent of transit operating costs in the metro area.

The proposal approved Monday by the council's transportation committee also raises the possibility of distance-based fares, something common in other cities but not used here, where riders going a few blocks can pay the same fare as those crossing the metro area. Such a change "is something we're going to give serious consideration to," Bell said.

Also under the plan, fares for Metro Mobility, a service for people with disabilities, would increase 50 cents, to $4 during rush hour and $3 at off-peak times.

The plan also would start morning rush-hour fares a half-hour earlier. The peak morning period would be from 5:30 to 9 a.m., while afternoons would remain unchanged (3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

'A quarter really adds up'

Eight public meetings have been set up, and riders can comment on the proposal via a variety of methods. Riders were already forming opinions Monday evening.

"I don't think anyone would be happy about it, but it's still cheaper than gas," said Patty Quintana, a 43-year-old rider from northeast Minneapolis. "I still have to get to work somehow."

"A quarter is a lot," said Mike Cornell, a 23-year-old from southeast Minneapolis. "Five cents, 10 cents, that's fine, but a quarter really adds up and we need public transit."

"If they're going to increase fares, they need to increase service, too," said Latricia Young, a 26-year-old waitress from St. Paul. "More routes, more time for transfers, something. I mean, I can't afford gas, so this is still cheaper, but come on, how am I supposed to live with the price of everything going up?"

jfoti@startribune.com • 612-673-4491 rzamith@startribune.com • 612-673-4921