Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Fares Could Increase for Bus Service

Using public transportation in and around the Antelope Valley may soon be slightly more costly.

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority is considering raising its fare on local routes from 75 cents to 80 cents. A public hearing on the proposed rate increase is slated for July 25, although transit officials do not expect much protest because the rate hikes are so minimal.

Citing the controversy that has erupted since the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority proposed raising its fares to make up for six years without increases, Bill Budlong, AVTA executive director, said he believes it’s better to impose small increases on a regular basis.

Kurt Mills, AVTA administrative analyst, said, “We want to do rate hikes that are on a timely basis. There’s been other transportation agencies that have waited years and to catch up with their costs the rate hikes have been real dramatic.

“Going from 75 to 80 cents is nothing.”

Other rates would also increase slightly.

Reduced fares for elderly and disabled riders on the local buses are slated to go from 35 cents to 40 cents. Monthly passes for the general public would increase $1 to $21, although those for seniors and the disabled will remain the same.

The transit agency is proposing no change for its door-to-door Dial-a-Ride service for seniors and the disabled, and for its medical shuttle that transports residents to major hospitals and medical centers in the Los Angeles basin.

AVTA commuter fares to Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley would increase $1, to $7 and $6, respectively. A 20-ride pass on the downtown line will go up $5, to $105 and a 44-ride pass to the San Fernando Valley would go up $5, to $125. Monthly passes for seniors and the disabled would not rise.

AVTA is not proposing any changes to the fares on its Van Nuys or Century City commuter lines, which were initiated with federal funds after the Jan. 17 Northridge quake crippled Southern California freeways.