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Foothill Transit may increase fares
By Alison Hewitt Staff Writer

Bus fares in the San Gabriel Valley could go up this winter as Foothill Transit struggles to cope with increased costs and slipping funding.

While the $1 base fare for local buses would not increase, officials are contemplating increases to monthly passes, transfer rates, discounted fares, Commuter Express services and other fares.

A transit report suggested other options, such as eliminating senior and student fares on the Commuter Express buses and raising the age for senior discounts.

Officials with Foothill Transit, the main bus service for the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, were blunt in saying they expected fares to go up, although they don't yet know which ones will increase.

Paula Lantz, the president of the Foothill Transit executive board and a Pomona councilwoman, said fares would have to go up.

"I don't think we really have a choice," Lantz said.

The 2007-08 budget recommends fare "adjustments," which will likely take effect near the end of the year, said Doran Barnes, Foothill Transit's executive director. It is too early to make estimates about the sizes of the increases, he added.

Foothill Transit governing board member and Glendora Councilman Doug
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Tessitor said he would "absolutely" support fare increases.

"Governor Schwarzenegger's latest \ budget for the state of California is talking about cutting back on some of the subsidies from the state to local transit companies, and fares do not come anywhere near sufficient to cover the costs," Tessitor said.

"The costs have to be paid and shared by everyone and that includes the users," he added. "The alternative is that we cut service."

Although the $117.4 million budget is balanced for 2007-08, Foothill Transit expects a $3million to $7 million shortfall in 2008-09. If bus fares are not increased, the agency could lose an additional $4.8 million in 2010, said Richard Hasenohrl, the director of finance.

A quirk in the county's formula for distributing funding means that the Los Angeles County's Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed rate increases will actually garner them a larger share of local funding, taking it away from Foothill Transit. If Foothill does not raise its fares as well, it loses funding to the Metropolitan transit Authority, explained executive board member and Duarte Councilman John Fasana.

"At some point, we have to do something to bolster our revenues," he said.

Changing the formula for distributing those funds - which provides $39.8 million to Foothill, or 55 percent of its operating budget - is one possible solution, officials said. However, that option would need to be approved by a supermajority, 10 of 13, on the MTA board. The $1 local fare applies to all Foothill lines in the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys that do not go to downtown Los Angeles. The longest line travels from Montclair to Old Pasadena. The current qualifying age for the senior discount is 62.

alison.hewitt@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2730