News

ANTIOCH, CA, June17, 2009 – Approved fare increases on Tri Delta Transit buses will take effect July 5, 2009. The fare increases, largely the result of lost state funding, will be between 25¢ and $1.00 depending on the route you choose. “Our General Public fare for local routes is increasing from $1.25 to $1.75,” said Tri Delta Transit Director of Marketing, Mike Furnary, “while our Senior/Disabled rates for local routes are increasing from 50¢ to 75¢.” “Express Route 300, which offers a premium limited-stop service between Brentwood and BART will cost an additional 50¢ above these fares. “

The scheduled fare increases stem from recent state budget cuts. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminated state assistance for public transportation, or the State Transit Assistance Program (STA), which has been a key source of state funding for transit operations since 1971. With this cut, the state has reduced its funding from $396 million to $76 million. Tri Delta Transit is losing approximately 15% of its funding this year or about three million dollars.

In response to the budget cuts, and after taking a number of steps to reduce costs and improve efficiency, Tri Delta Transit’s Board of Directors approved fare increases, which take effect July 5, 2009. New fares are as follows:

• General Public Cash Fare, Local Routes: $ 1.75
• General Public Day Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes): $ 3.00
• Senior/Disabled Cash Fare, Local Routes: $ 0.75
• Senior/Disabled Day Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes): $ 1.25
• General Public Express Route 300 Cash Fare: $ 2.25
• Senior/Disabled Express Route 300 Cash Fare: $ 1.25
• Express Route 300 with a Day Pass or Monthly Pass: 50¢
• Express Route 300 with a Monthly East Bay Value Pass: Free
• Monthly East Bay Value Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes and Express Route 300): $60.00
• Monthly Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes): $ 50.00
• Express Route 300 20-Ride Punch Pass: $ 32.00
• General Public 20-Ride Punch Pass: $ 30.00
• Senior/Disabled 20-Ride Punch Pass: $ 15.00
• BART Transfer General Public $ 1.00
• BART Transfer Senior/Disabled: $ 1.00
• BART Transfer Route 300 General Public: $ 1.50
• BART Transfer Route 300 Senior /Disabled: $ 1.50

One of the more noticeable increases is on Express Route 300, which will cost an additional 50¢ beyond the general fare. This is largely due to funding for this particular route. “In order to continue receiving funding for this express commuter route, Tri Delta Transit is required to cover a certain percentage of the operating costs from fares, “said Tri Delta Transit CEO, Jeanne Krieg. “At the current fare this goal will not be met and funding will be lost for the route. In order to maintain this premium limited-stop service, a premium fee must be charged. With only four stops between Brentwood and Pittsburg BART, our customers recognize the benefits received for the additional 50¢.”

Even though fares are increasing, customers can save as much as 50% by purchasing the right discount pass. “We offer a range of passes to meet every travel need, from part-time commuters to every day rider,” said Furnary. “Because discount passes can provide significant savings, there are actually very few instances when we recommend paying the full cash fare to ride the bus.” For details about discount passes, or for more information about fare increases, including all of Tri Delta Transit’s services (Delta Express, 49ers home game shuttles, and Dial-a-Ride), visit their site at www.trideltatransit.com or call
925-754-6622.

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