STA board OKs fare hike

The Spokane Transit Authority board Thursday approved a fare increase that has undergone months of study and comment.

It is the first fare increase since 2002.

The increase will occur in three phases beginning Jan. 1, 2010, when a regular single fare will go from $1 to $1.25 and from 50 to 75 cents for paratransit.

A second increase starts in 2011 when regular fares go to $1.50 and paratransit fares go to $1.25. A year later, the paratransit fare goes to $1.50 to match the regular fare.

The cost of monthly passes will increase as well.

Susan Meyer, STA’s chief executive officer, said the fare increase will enable the transit system to balance the fares with the subsidy provided by taxpayers.

The increases will bring fare revenue to about 20 percent and help offset lagging sales tax collections, which are the STA’s main revenue source.