News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Marta Fees Going Up in October

Marta Fees Going Up in October

Fare Increase Approved for Mountain Routes

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Big Bear Lake, CA – Mountain Area Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA) bus fees on fixed routes in the mountain communities, Dial-a-Ride and off-the-hill service will increase next month. The exact effective date for the new fares has not been released.

Directors Terisa Bonito, Liz Harris, David Leach and Lex Sensenbrenner cast votes in favor of the rate hike while director Bill Jahn dissented.

The Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (MARTA) serves Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and other mountain communities. (Photo by MARTA.)

MARTA's fixed route rate was increased 50 cents for adults to $1.50. The fare for disabled persons and seniors rose to 75 cents. Adult fares for Dial-a-Ride customers increased $1 to $5 and the new rate for disabled and seniors will be $2.50.

Directors were told the rate increases, including those for off-the-hill service, were necessitated by a number of factors including fuel, tires, labor and maintenance costs.

(Photo by MARTA.)

Patrons wishing to go utilize the off-the-mountain service will quickly notice there is no longer a boarding fee. However, the zone fee is now $2 per zone for adults and disabled and seniors will pay $1 per zone.

Consult the MARTA website for additional information about the transit district's services at http://www.marta.cc/index.html.

This article was first published on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:00 am. This article has been viewed 949 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.