CT proposes fare increases for local, Seattle commuters SNOHOMISH COUNTY - Community Transit plans to raise local bus fares 25 cents next year while Seattle commuters will see a bigger fare increase.
The fare change will begin Feb. 1 pending a transit board vote Nov. 1.
The new fares for local buses will be $2 for adults, $1.50 for youths and $1 for seniors and disabled riders.
Everett commuters going to Seattle would see a 50-cent jump. Adults would pay $4, youths would pay $3.25 and seniors and disabled riders would pay $2.
East county and north county commuters heading to Seattle would pay 75 cents more. The fare increase would apply to Route 424 from Snohomish. Adults would pay $5.25, youths would pay $4.50 and seniors and disabled would pay $2.50.
Paratransit riders will pay 25 cents more bringing the fare up to $2.
The fare increase puts Community Transit as one of the most expensive transit agencies in Snohomish County.
Sound Transit, for example, charges adults $3.50 and youths $2.50 to ride its 510 express bus from Everett to Seattle.
Everett Transit riders pay 75 cents as adults, 50 cents as youths and seniors and the disabled can currently ride for free with a permit. Everett Transits wants to increase fares 25 cents across the board this January depending on a City Council vote.
Community Transit spoke with 1,200 riders at multiple events in September and received 57 letters about the fare changes.
Nobody spoke at last week’s public hearing on the fare increase. The public comment period closed last week.
In 2008, the agency raised fares on all its services. In 2010, the agency raised fares on local bus and paratransit services.
Community Transit reduced its bus service by 37 percent since 2010 due to lower sales tax revenues as a result of the recession.
The agency is set to make a few service reductions in 2013. Locally, commuters in Mukilteo would get a more direct route to Seattle on Route 417.
The agency also made a small set of service changes Oct. 1. Local routes 105 and 115 no longer enter the McCollum Park Park and Ride.
Riders in Mill Creek spoke out at last week’s board meeting against skipping the park and ride.
Riders there are being cut off as Everett Transit ended service to the area in August, resident Carolyn Drake said. A petition signed by 70 people in an affected Mill Creek apartment complex showed half are disabled and dependent on public transportation.
