FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 29, 2008

NO FARE INCREASE FOR ACCESS THIS YEAR

CINCINNATI - This week, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority board of trustees voted not to pursue a fare increase for Access paratransit service in 2008. Access provides curb-to-curb transportation for people whose disabilities prevent their use of Metro buses.

SORTA originally had proposed a $0.50 increase for Access as part of its overall base fare increase. Cincinnati City Council requested that SORTA consider eliminating the Access increase when Council approved the Metro base fare increase last month.

This week, the SORTA board acted affirmatively to eliminate the Access fare increase proposal for 2008.

"Many of our Access customers have very limited financial resources and for many people with disabilities Access is the only transportation available," said Melody Sawyer Richardson, SORTA board chair. "The SORTA board is sensitive to this situation and the need to keep this vital service affordable for those in need."

Access provides about 250,000 rides per year to people with disabilities in Greater Cincinnati. The actual cost of a one way trip is about $30, tax subsidized; the customer pays $1.50 in the City of Cincinnati and $2 in Hamilton County outside the city.

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