Why does Metro need to increase fares?

Passenger revenue is a critical source of funding for the Metro transit system, and today it supports 22% of the cost to provide transit service. The balance of the service is supported by local sales taxes and other forms of grants and assistance. The cost of operating the Metro transit system is continually rising because of increases in costs such as fuel, vehicle parts and medical benefit expenses. Periodic fare increases were included as a key component of the regions long range transit plan, Moving Transit Forward. The plan calls for raising fares by a small percentage approximately every two years to address the transit systems growing operating needs, while avoiding sudden dramatic fare increases. The fare increase will help financially support the existing transit system and preserve plans for service enhancements. Each fare option presented here will provide for an approximate 5% increase in passenger revenue. Together with other revenue sources, this increase is sufficient to fund the transit systems nearly $250 million operating budget.

Why are there three options for consideration?

Metro is offering the community the opportunity to comment on three different options for adjusting fares. Options 1 and 2 maintain the current $2.00 (MetroBus), $2.25 (MetroLink) and $4.00 (CallA-Ride) cash fares without any change. Reduced cash fares for eligible seniors, children and customers with disabilities would also remain the same. Option 1 would increase the prices of Metro passes to more accurately reflect the number of boardings made using these passes. Monthly passes would increase from $68 to $75 ($34 to $37.50 for reduced fare); weekly passes would increase from $23.50 to $26; and the college semester pass from $145 to $155. Option 2 also retains the current cash fare but increases the price of the two-hour pass/transfer from $2.75 to $3.00 (reduced fare would increase from $1.35 to $1.50). Option 2 preserves a greater discount rate for the weekly, monthly and semester passes than Option 1. Option 2 would increase weekly passes from $23.50 to $25.00; monthly passes would increase from $68.00 to $72.00 ($34 to $36 for reduced-fare); and the college semester pass from $145 to $150. Option 3 presents a fare increase of approximately 5% across all fare media, including the cash fare, passes and Call-A-Ride fare.

Metro to Hold Information Sessions & Public Hearing on Proposed Fare Changes
Metro will conduct public information sessions and one public hearing to solicit comments on potential fare increases. The options being considered include: 1. Increase in weekly, monthly and semester pass prices 2. Increase in 2-hour pass (includes transfer), weekly, monthly and semester pass prices 3. Increase in all fare media prices Metros Board of Commissioners will approve the amount and timing of the fare change after considering public comment.

www.metrostlouis.org

INFORMATION SESSIONS DATES & LOCATIONS Monday, April 16, 2012 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. East St. Louis City Hall - 1st Floor 301 River Park Drive East St. Louis, IL 62201 Wednesday, April 18, 2012 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. St. Louis City Hall - 1st Floor 1200 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103 Wednesday, April 18, 2012 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. St. Louis County Government Center 2nd Floor 41 South Central Clayton, MO 63105 PUBLIC HEARING Thursday, April 19, 2012 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. Metro Headquarters - Board Room 707 North First Street St. Louis, MO 63102
If you are hearing or sight impaired and require an interpreter or other assistance, a request for such service must be received by Metro at least three (3) days in advance of the public information session you wish to attend. Metro will provide an interpreter at the public hearing at Metro Headquarters on April 19, 2012.

FareIncreaseOptions
Option1 MetroFareType Mode CurrentFare ProposedFare CashBaseFare Bus $2.00 $2.00 CashBaseFare Rail $2.25 $2.25 Cash(ReducedFare)* Bus $1.00 $1.00 Cash(ReducedFare)* Rail $1.10 $1.10 2HourPass/Transfer System $2.75 $2.75 2HourPass/Transfer(ReducedFare)* System $1.35 $1.35 2HourPass(fromLambertAirport) System $3.75 $3.75 (10)2HourPasses System $27.50 $27.50 (10)2HourPasses(Student) System $19.00 $19.00 DayPass System $7.50 $7.50 WeeklyPass System $23.50 $26.00 MonthlyPass System $68.00 $75.00 MonthlyPass(ReducedFare)* System $34.00 $37.50 System $145.00 $155.00 UniversitySemesterPass MetroCallARide/ADA CAR $4.00 $4.00 *ReducedfaresrequireMetroreducedfarepermit Shadedfaresrepresentaproposedchangeinthatfaremediafromcurrentfares Option2 ProposedFare $2.00 $2.25 $1.00 $1.10 $3.00 $1.50 $4.00 $30.00 $21.00 $7.50 $25.00 $72.00 $36.00 $150.00 $4.00 Option3 ProposedFare $2.10 $2.35 $1.05 $1.15 $2.85 $1.40 $3.85 $28.50 $20.00 $7.85 $24.75 $72.00 $36.00 $152.00 $4.20

Each public information session will be an open-house format with Metro staff available to discuss the possible changes and the reasons the changes are proposed. The public hearing on Thursday, April 19, 2012 will include a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m., and the remaining time will be available for any interested individuals or agencies to comment orally or in writing on the social, environmental and economic impact of the proposed fare increase. Comments on the proposed fare increase can also be made by: Phone: 314-335-3433 Mail: Metro, Attn: Planning - Fare Increase 2012 707 North First Street St. Louis, MO 63102 Email: FareIncrease2012@metrostlouis.org All comments must be received by close of business Friday, April 27, 2012.