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Proposed Changes
Cash Fares, Tickets, Transfers and Passes as of 31 August 2008.
Funding that WestCAT was relying on to support its existing service has been drastically reduced in State Budget negotiations, and fuel prices spiked in spring 2008 and have remained higher than predicted. These two major components in determining WestCAT’s budget for fiscal year 08-09 have placed an enormous strain on WestCAT’s reserves, in the order of nearly $1.6 Million and that number may climb before the final State Budget is passed. If WestCAT had received the full amount of authorized funding under State statutes, we could have avoided making major changes in fares and service, but unfortunately the State’s budget crisis continues to divert more than $1 Billion each year from public transit funds. This has required WestCAT to dip into its remaining reserves to maintain current levels of service.
In recognition of the severity of our current budget crisis, WestCAT’s Board of Directors approved a package of fare increases and service reduction strategies during a Public Hearing on August 14, to help allocate available resources where they could do the most good. The new passenger fares and schedules will take affect mid-late September 2008. The exact date has not yet been determined, but will soon be announced. The WestCAT Board of Directors determined that a fare increases and service reductions are absolutely crucial in order to balance the FY08-09 budget and to continue to operate a sustainable transportation program. If no action is taken, reserves could be fully depleted this year, and the authority will be forced to reduce service dramatically in the Fiscal Year 09-10 and beyond.
Although WestCAT cash fares will increase, to lessen the impact on our regular passengers, the monthly pass prices for the local and express routes will not be increased. Therefore, regular WestCAT passengers who continue purchasing discounted monthly passes will not be impacted by the increase in fares. However, the Lynx general public monthly pass will increase from $120 per month to $140, and the senior/disabled monthly pass from $60 to $70 per month. The Lynx general public cash fare will increase from $4.00 to $5.00 one-way. In addition, the local and express general public cash fare will increase from $1.50 to $1.75 one-way. There will be no increase in passenger cash fares for the senior and disabled passengers on any of WestCAT’s services including the Lynx.
After August 31, 2008 WestCAT will eliminate all ticket sales, with the exception of the discount tickets for the Dial-A-Ride and ADA Paratransit services. Effective immediately, in order to accommodate all of our customers, there will be a limit of 3 sheets of WestCAT tickets sold per household. Tickets with a “red” expiration date will no longer be accepted on WestCAT buses as of September 30, 2008. However, customers left with full sheets (10 tickets) of expired $1.25 general public tickets may request a refund or may exchange the full sheet for a monthly pass with payment of the remaining balance through December 31, 2008. No cash refunds will be issued, and proper identification is required. WestCAT will provide a receipt to customers and issue a refund via check within 14-days. Tickets without an expiration date will be accepted at face value until further notice from the transit authority.
A detailed notice of the upcoming route changes will be provided in a separate announcement. Both the changes to the fares and the schedules will take affect at the same time in September. Please see below for the detailed list of fares, transfers and pass prices.
New WestCAT Passenger Fares (Effective mid-September 2008)
The new fares are in bold.
One-Way Cash Fare Fixed Route / Express |
General Public |
$1.75 |
Senior |
$0.75 (No Change) |
Disabled |
$0.75 (No Change) |
Medicare Card Holders |
$0.75 (No Change) |
|
Local & Express Monthly Passes |
$40 GP, $20 Senior/Disabled/Medicare (No Change) |
|
Transfer (Other Operator, Includes BART) |
General Public |
$1.00 (No Change) |
Senior |
$0.50 (No Change) |
Disabled |
$0.50 (No Change) |
Medicare Card Holders |
$0.50 (No Change) |
|
Transfer (County Connection, Tri-Delta, LAVTA) |
Free |
|
Transfer (Capital Corridor) |
Free |
|
Day Passes Fixed Route / Express |
General Public |
$3.50 |
Senior |
$1.50 (No Change) |
Disabled |
$1.50 (No Change) |
Medicare Card Holders |
$1.50 (No Change) |
|
Dial-A-Ride Cash Fare |
|
General Public |
$4.00 |
Senior/Disabled/Medicare Card Holder |
$1.25 (No Change, & Tickets Still Available) |
|
ADA Paratransit |
$3.00 (No Change, & Tickets Still Available) |
|
Lynx One-Way Cash Fare |
General Public |
$5.00 |
Senior |
$2.00 (No Change) |
Disabled |
$2.00 (No Change) |
Medicare Card Holders |
$2.00 (No Change) |
|
Lynx Monthly Pass |
General Public |
$140.00 |
Senior |
$70.00 |
Disabled |
$70.00 |
Medicare Card Holders |
$70.00 |
| |
|
We apologize in advance for the inconvenience and we thank you for you cooperation and your continued patronage. For up to date information please call 510-724-7993 or visit us at www.westcat.org.
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