Bloomington raises bus fare

Starting January 2008, the Bloomington Transit bus system will raise fares 25 cents to compensate for higher expenses, a move that has caused little stir in the community. \nThe company last raised fares in July 1996, said Lewis May, general manager of Bloomington Transit. The fare increase, which will begin on Jan. 7, is designed to recoup some of the money lost to higher fuel, labor and insurance prices and will generate about $60,000 annually for the company.\n“Just a few people have written us or attended our public hearings to express concern at the fare increase,” May said. “Public response has been very light so far.”\nThe adult cash fare will increase from 75 cents to one dollar, while single reduced-fare tickets will increase from 35 cents to 50 cents.\nBus driver Bob Fipps said he has not heard any complaints from bus riders about the new fare. Bloomington Transit has conducted some informal opinion surveys, and most people have supported the increased fare, he said.\n“They’ve all understood that the price of fuel has gone up,” Fipps said. “It’ still a fair price, and customers get to go anywhere in Bloomington.”\nAnother driver, Dan Mollis, said he has not personally received any complaints because he usually drives campus routes that mainly serve students, who ride for free.\n“I’ve just heard rumors that some people on fixed income are complaining,” Mollis said.\nMay agreed that most of the concern that has been expressed has come from residents with lower incomes who rely on public buses as their primary source of transportation and will have difficulty affording the new fares.\n“It won’t hurt me much because it’s only a $3 increase for the whole month,” said Nick Musulin, a Bloomington resident who buys a monthly pass with a reduced fare. “It may hurt others more who don’t get the senior citizens discount. People in Bloomington don’t make a lot of money.”\nFor Zetta Davie, who uses the bus to get from her home to downtown Bloomington, the price change doesn’t pose much of a problem. \n“It’s still cheap,” she said, particularly when compared to the costs of driving.\nThe fare increase will not affect IU students, who can ride the bus for free with a student ID. However, May said next year Bloomington Transit will have to negotiate a new contract with the University to accommodate the new fare price.