Seniors, Disabled to Feel Pinch of Higher Bus Fares

Senior citizens and the handicapped can expect steep increases in some bus fares as the result of new rates approved Thursday by the Orange County Transit District board of directors.

And regular bus riders will pay an extra 5 cents a trip with fares raised to 80 cents under the new rates effective July 1.

Fares for the district’s Dial-a-Ride program, used primarily by Orange County’s handicapped, will be raised from 50 to 80 cents, a 60% increase, a transit district spokeswoman said.

Also, people 65 and older--who enjoyed free fares during off-peak hours--will now have to pay 10 cents. And senior fares during peak hours--from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.--will be raised a nickel to 40 cents.

Transit district spokeswoman Joanne Curran said the increases were necessary to safeguard state subsidy money and put the district “in line” with fares in other major metropolitan areas.

“Out of 12 major California transit (agencies), including (the Southern California Rapid Transit District), which were surveyed, none offered free rides to seniors,” Curran said.

She said the agency’s board of directors hopes to raise $1.29 million annually from the fare increases and safeguard a $60-million state subsidy that could be reduced or wiped out if the district’s revenues fall below 20% of its operating costs.

The increases are the first since 1985, Curran said.

General monthly passes will increase from $28 to $30, student discount passes from $25 to $26.50 and passes for the handicapped from $15 to $16.50. Transfers will continue to be free, as will rides for children under 6. Dial-a-Ride services will go up 10 cents to $1.60 for peak hours and off-peak hours. Currently, the off-peak fare is $1.25.

Express bus service from Huntington Beach and Fullerton to downtown Los Angeles will increase from $2.25 to $2.40, and monthly passes will go up to $86 from $80.

This year, Curran said, the transit district received $9 million in government subsidies to help underwrite the county’s bus system.