Toledo transit riders will be paying about 20 percent more for their rides starting Monday as a fare increase intended to offset a small part of a $3 million budget shortfall takes effect.
TARTA’s basic fare will rise from $1.25 to $1.50, with discounted fares and weekly and monthly pass prices rising a comparable amount, while the Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service fare will go to $3 from $2.50. TARTA also will begin charging a $3 fare on its Call-a-Ride routes, whose passengers previously were charged $1.25 as if they were riding regular bus service.
Multi-trip TARPS tickets will remain valid through April, after which riders will have to pay the additional 50 cents for each ride to continue using them.
The fare increase follows by about three months service cuts TARTA imposed because of its fiscal problems. The cuts included elimination of Sunday and holiday buses and reduced hours on other days.
Another fare increase, including hiking the basic bus fare from $1.50 to $1.75, is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1 if the transit authority’s financial outlook hasn’t improved dramatically by then.
First Published April 1, 2019, 4:00 a.m.
