BUS FARE HIKE PROPOSED STANDARD CHARGE WOULD BE INCREASED TO $1.Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - The city is seeking to increase bus fares and eliminate some youth discounts, moves that would help offset rising fuel and salary costs, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a city report. The standard fare would increase from 75 cents to $1 and fares for youths would go from 50 cents to 75 cents, and to $1 the following year. The 25-cent fare for seniors and disabled would increase to 50 cents. ``We have not increased our fares for eight years, and during that time we've had inflation,'' said Ron Kilcoyne, the city's transit manager. ``We also expect costs of fuel prices to continue increasing, faster than the rate of inflation.'' The City Council will consider the increases at its 6:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday in City Hall Council Chambers. If approved, the increased fares would cover an estimated 19 percent of the Transit Division's operating budget Noun 1. operating budget - a budget for current expenses as distinct from financial transactions or permanent improvements budget items, operating cost, operating expense, overhead - the expense of maintaining property (e.g. in the next fiscal year, compared with 17 percent this year. The net increase, based on current ridership numbers, would amount to an estimated $412,000. Price increases would affect city transit buses, Dial-a-Ride door-to- door service and commuter buses. Kilcoyne said a city survey indicated Santa Clarita bus service rates were among the lowest in the nation. In Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , it had the least expensive fares among cities surveyed. San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. charges $2 for general fares; Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , $1.35; Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley , $1.10; and Orange and Ventura counties, $1. ``Even with the increase, we're still quite reasonable, given what other cities charge and what it costs to operate a car,'' Kilcoyne said. Under the staff recommendations, some local and commuter bus fares for both single rides and monthly passes would increase twice, on Aug. 26 of this year and on June 30, 2002. A youth pass for the month now costs $15, but would increase to $20 and again to $25. Adult passes would go to $25. Local Dial-a-Ride would increase from $1.50 per trip and cap at $2. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Residents board Santa Clarita Transit buses near the Valencia Town Center on Friday. The Santa Clarita City Council is scheduled to consider the fare increase Tuesday. Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News |
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