FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2007

2008 FARE CHANGES PROPOSED FOR METRO AND ACCESS
Fuel costs, lower state funding contributing to budget woes

CINCINNATI -- The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority board of trustees is proposing fare increases for Metro and Access, effective Feb. 3, 2008. The proposed changes are intended to help offset rising fuel costs and decreased state funding, while keeping service levels stable. 

For Metro, the proposed change is $0.50 in Zone 1 (City of Cincinnati; new base fare $1.50) and $0.50 in Zone 2 (Hamilton County outside city; new base $2)

Access fares would also increase $0.50 in Zone 1 (city; new fare $2.00) and $0.50 in Zone 2 (Hamilton County; new fare $2.50). Access provides curb-to-curb service for people whose disabilities prevent their use of Metro.

FACTORS RELATED TO FARE INCREASE

Several factors are negatively affecting Metro's budget in 2008 and beyond:

Fuel costs: Fuel costs now consume 10% of Metro’s budget (over $9 million in 2008), a 68% increase in the last 3 years.
State funding: State funding has dropped 75% since 2001, which affects Metro’s ability to buy replacement buses.
Old bus replacement: Metro does not have enough federal and state funding to replace old buses past their useful 12-year life.  More than 27% of buses are now more than 11 years old.  Old buses break down more, are more polluting, and are more expensive to repair.

"This is not a recommendation that we make lightly," said Metro CEO Michael Setzer. "But it's imperative that we take appropriate action now to spare much tougher decisions in the future."

PROPOSED FARES BEGINNING FEB. 3, 2008

The following proposed fares reflect the $0.50 increase in Zone 1 and Zone 2, beginning Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008:

Metro base fares:

• Zone 1: $1.50 (City of Cincinnati, currently $1)
• Zone 2: $2.00 (Hamilton County outside city, currently $1.50)

Metro monthly passes:

• Zone 1: $55 (currently $40)
• Zone 2: $75 (currently $60)
• MT pass: $85 (currently $70; Metro Zone 1 and TANK)

Metro Fare Deal and children under age 5, 45” (1/2 of base fare):

• Zone 1: $0.75 (currently $0.50; $0.10 increase)
• Zone 2: $1.00 (currently $0.75; $0.25 increase)
• $32.50 for Fare Deal sticker (unlimited trips in all zones, currently $24.50)

Access paratransit fares:

• Zone 1: $2.00 (City of Cincinnati, currently $1.50)
• Zone 2: $2.50 (Hamilton County outside city, currently $2.00)

Fares for services to and from Butler, Clermont and Warren counties are set by contract with those funding partners and are not included in the fare increase proposal at this time.

Fare increases require the approval of the SORTA board of trustees and Cincinnati City Council. SORTA’s last fare increase was February 2005.

PUBLIC HEARING AND OTHER WAYS TO COMMENT

SORTA will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., at the Duke Energy Center (convention center), 525 Elm Street, in Rooms 230-233, to receive public comments about the proposed fare changes. The public may come anytime during the hearing to give their comments. A sign language interpreter will be available at the meeting; accessible format materials will be available if the request is received one week prior to the meeting.

All comments received by Dec. 5, 2007, will become part of the official public hearing record and will be considered. This is intended to help those who cannot attend the public hearing. 

Comments may be submitted in the following ways:

• On-line comment form at www.go-metro.com
• E-mail to farecomments@go-metro.com
• Fax to (513) 621-5291
• Comment forms on buses
• Mail to SORTA, 1014 Vine Street, Suite 2000, Cincinnati, OH 45202

For more information, call Metro at (513) 621-4455 or visit www.go-metro.com.

Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 22 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.