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Transit fares could increase

Bus riders in Williams Lake could see an increase in their transit fares.

Bus riders in Williams Lake could see an increase in their transit fares.

City council, at its committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, proposed to increase the fares as follows:

• Cash fares:

Adult $1 to $1.25

Senior /student $.75 to $1.00

• Book tickets:

Adult $.95 to $1.13

Seniors/Students $.70 to $.90

• Monthly passes:

Adult $32 to $37.

Senior/student $24 to $28.

• handyDART $1.50 to $1.75

The City says operating costs for the transit service are increasing. Estimated revenues for the 2010/2011 operating year are $107,831, operating costs are $749,713, and the City’s share of the costs after revenue is $300,861.

The proposed fares would result in an annual revenue increase of approximately $5,246, reducing the City’s share of costs for the service.

Total transit ridership has increased since 2003/2004, from 66,884 rides to 69,701 in 2010/2011.

Cash fares for transit have not increased since BC Transit became involved in the handyDART service in 1986 and a conventional transit route began in 1993.

The City says the fares are the lowest in B.C., and that the proposed increases would still leave Williams Lake with the second lowest fares in the province, along with Naskusp.

The City’s share of costs is collected through an annual tax levy.

In 2010, the cost to residential taxpayers for transit was $0.117 per $1,000 of assessed value.

As an example, a property valued at $250,000 would pay approximately $30 per year for the transit levy.

“We want to mitigate the effects of increased operating costs on taxpayers,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We’re proud of our transit system, and the excellent service it provides, and we’re proud that we can keep fares among the lowest in the entire province.”

Resolutions from Committee of the Whole meetings are not in effect until formally adopted by Council at a regular council meeting. If approved, the fare increases would be coordinated with BC Transit.