After the Riots / NEWS IN BRIEF : RTD Sells 1 Million Discount Bus Tickets, Orders More

The Southern California Rapid Transit District’s first 1 million discounted 50-cent tickets sold out within a week, RTD officials said, prompting the immediate printing of 1 million more tickets.

A new design featuring a color photograph of an RTD bus will be used for the third printing and subsequent orders, district officials said. Altogether, the RTD expects to sell about 7.5 million discount tickets, which can be used instead of the regular adult fare of $1.10.

RTD board President Marvin Holen said the unexpectedly high ticket sales indicate an “intense need for affordable transportation” in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and the Pico-Union district.

RTD directors authorized the sale of discount tickets last month to help inner-city riot victims. The torching of markets, coin laundries and other businesses has forced the city’s poorest residents to travel farther for basic services, RTD officials said. Many are without cars and rely on buses to shop and get to work.

The 50-cent fares are available only through the advance purchase of ticket books. The discounted tickets--which are not honored on the Metro Blue Line--are sold in books of 10 at RTD customer service centers and independent outlets around the county.

Passengers who use cash still must pay the full $1.10 local fare, and monthly passes still sell for their usual prices.

But senior citizens and physically handicapped riders can buy books of 20 tickets for $5, or 25 cents a ticket.

Transfers are 25 cents for all passengers.

RTD officials said they were unable to immediately assess how the discounted fares have affected ridership. Fare box revenues appear to have declined slightly, they said.

Discounted tickets will be accepted through Sept. 30.