News

ANTIOCH, CA, July 23, 2009 – Tri Delta Transit has eliminated it’s 50¢ surcharge to ride ExpressRoute 300 when passengers use a Day Pass or Monthly Pass. “The general public cash fare to ride Express Route 300 is still $2.25, and $1.25 for seniors/disabled” said Mike Furnary, Tri Delta Transit’s Director of Marketing. “However, when our customers present a valid Day Pass or Monthly Pass, they no longer have to pay an additional 50¢ to ride the express bus.”

On July 5, 2009, Tri Delta Transit raised their rates in response to 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.

The additional 50¢ customers paid on Express Route 300 is the difference between the local route fares and the express route fare. “While these additional funds were intended to help us achieve our financial requirements to maintain this route, the implementation became confusing for our customers” said Tri Delta Transit CEO, Jeanne Krieg. “Our decision will help make using Express Route 300 easier and therefore a greater option for more people. Increased usage of the route will help us achieve the same goal.

Also, if our customers make the decision to purchase one of our unlimited ride passes, we want them to be able to utilize them to their greatest potential. This includes Express Route 300.” The new policy will save monthly pass users $10 a month. “Before the policy change, the only monthly pass that allowed unlimited rides on Express Route 300 was the East Bay Value Pass, which sells for $60,” said Furnary. “Now, the regular Tri Delta Transit Monthly Pass, which sells for just $50, will allow the same privilege.” The monthly pass also allows unlimited rides on all other Tri Delta Transit
fixed route buses.

Express Route 300 is the fastest bus between Brentwood and Pittsburg/Bay Point BART making just four stops along the way in Oakley and Antioch. While it is the preferred route of daily commuters, it is also heavily used by many bus riders within East County to get to the Brentwood and Antioch Park & Ride lots, which serve as major transfer points for the Tri Delta Transit system.

With the new fare policy, Tri Delta Transit’s fares are as follows:

• General Public Cash Fare, Local Routes: $ 1.75
• General Public Day Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes AND Express Route 300): $ 3.00
• Senior/Disabled Cash Fare, Local Routes: $ 0.75
• Senior/Disabled Day Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes AND Express Route 300): $ 1.25
• General Public Express Route 300 Cash Fare: $ 2.25
• Senior/Disabled Express Route 300 Cash Fare: $ 1.25
• Monthly Pass (unlimited rides on all local routes AND Express Route 300): $ 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: 75¢
• BART Transfer Route 300 General Public: $ 1.50
• BART Transfer Route 300 Senior /Disabled: $ 1.25

More information, including transfer policies, routes and schedules can be obtained on the Tri Delta Transit web site at www.TriDelaTransit.com or by calling 925-754-6622.

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