Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 29, 1990 TAG: 9005290291
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The committee has recommended that the monthly rates be raised at Campbell Court from $38 to $40; Market Square Garage, $46 to $48; and Williamson Road Garage, $38 to $40.
There would be no change in the hourly or daily parking rates at the garages.
The recommendation for the higher monthly rates is included in the proposed $377,278 operating budget for the garages for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The city owns the parking garages, but Valley Metro operates them under a contractual arrangement.
On another matter, the budget committee also has recommended that council approve increases in bus fares that were proposed earlier by Valley Metro's management staff.
The regular cash fare would increase from 75 cents to $1, and the discount cash fare for elderly and handicapped passengers would increase from 35 to 50 cents.
The fare for students would be increased from 40 to 50 cents. The cost for a monthly pass also would be raised from $25 to $28.
Valley Metro had proposed the elimination of the free transfers between buses, but the committee has recommended that free transfers be retained.
Part of the revenue from the higher fares would be used to help pay for 15 new buses to replace 14-year-old vehicles that have traveled 500,000 miles each.
Valley Metro's last fare increase occurred in 1982 when the cash fare was raised from 60 to 75 cents, and the cost for a 10-ride ticket increased from $5 to $7.
Despite the higher fares, passengers who use the buses regularly could save money because the bus company is considering several new types of weekly passes that would provide unlimited trips.
These include:
A $8 weekly pass for regular adult passengers. It would replace the 10-ride ticket that is now offered for $7.
A $4 weekly pass for elderly and handicapped passengers. It would replace the 10-ride ticket that is now offered to elderly and handicapped passengers for $3.25 for trips between 9 a. m. and 3 p. m. Monday through Friday and all day on Saturday. The $4 weekly pass would allow elderly and handicapped passengers to take an unlimited number of trips each week and ride the bus at anytime.
A $4 weekly pass for students. The weekly student pass would allow students to take an unlimited number of trips.
A monthly pass providing unlimited trips would continue to be offered, but the cost would increase from $25 to $28.
by CNB