Omnitrans News Release

San Bernardino, CA –Bus fares will increase for the first time in more than two years on September 8, when Omnitrans implements a new fare structure approved by its Board of Directors in June.

Regular one-way cash fares increase from $1.35 to $1.50; however, only about 25 percent of Omnitrans riders purchase one-way fares. Most elect to buy multi-use passes to save money.

The popular 1-day pass, which accounts for 35 percent of boardings, will go from $3.50 to $4.00. Prices of 7-day passes are unchanged except for students, which increases from $10 to $11. 31-day pass prices, used for about one-fourth of passenger trips, increase by just $1 or $2 depending on the category.

As always, discounted fares are available for persons with disabilities and seniors age 62 and up. Students qualify for discounted 7-day and 31 day passes.

“The bus is still a bargain compared to driving,” said Director of Marketing Wendy Williams, “and we’ve kept the multiday pass prices low to benefit our most frequent riders.” Individuals who ride public transportation can save on average $9,167 annually, according to a recent report released by the American Public Transportation Association. (http://www.apta.com/media/releases/090810_transit_savings.cfm)

Bus Fares	Old	New
Regular One-Way	$1.35	$1.50
Senior/Disability/Medicare (S/D/M)One-Way	$0.55	$0.60
Regular 1-Day Pass	$3.50	$4.00
S/D/M 1-Day Pass	$1.60	$1.85
Regular 7-Day Pass	$15.00	$15.00
Student 7-Day Pass	$10.00	$11.00
S/D/M 7-Day Pass	$ 7.00	$7.00
Regular 31-Day Pass	$45.00	$47.00
Student 31-Day Pass	$33.00	$35.00
S/D/M 31-Day Pass	$22.50	$23.50

Omnitrans 1-day and 7-day passes are sold on board buses. One-, 7- and 31-day passes are also sold at retail locations and online at www.omnitrans.org. Any old bus passes that customers have on hand will be accepted on board through September 30th.

Omnitrans rate increases are modest compared to other Southern California transit systems. Last January, Orange County Transportation Authority increased fares 25 percent across the board. Riverside Transit Agency recently raised the base fare 20 percent, and pass prices 24 percent.

Fares will also increase for Access, a shared-ride demand response service for persons with disabilities as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The base fare increases from $2.45 to $2.75. The monthly subscription base fare goes from $130 to $145.

Access Fares	Old	New
1-3 Zones One-Way	$2.45	$2.75
4 Zones One-Way	$3.45	$3.75
5 Zones One-Way	$4.45	$4.75
6 Zones One-Way	$5.45	$5.75
1-3 Zones Monthly Subscription	$130	$145
4 Zones Monthly Subscription	$170	$185
5 Zones Monthly Subscription	$210	$225
6 Zones Monthly Subscription	$250	$265

Per ADA law, Access service is available within a ¾-mile radius of an existing bus route. Omnitrans also provides Access service beyond the ADA boundary up to city limits for a $5 surcharge. Persons must be certified through an application process to use Access.
Fares on OmniLink service, available to the general public in Chino Hills and Yucaipa, will not increase.

Detailed information is available at 1-800-9-OMNIBUS (1-800-966-6428) or ww.omnitrans.org.

News Release

Omnitrans’ Fare Change Effective September 8