Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Arlington County Approves New Transit Fare Structure
- New fares for ART and STAR service effective July 1, 2010
- Modest increase to offset costs and growing ridership
- Fare structure consistent with regional transit providers
ARLINGTON, VA – The Arlington County Board today approved a new fare structure for its ART (Arlington Transit) and STAR (Specialized Transit for Arlington Residents) paratransit services. This is the first base fare increase for ART since 2004 and first fare increase for STAR since 2006. Since that time, ART ridership has doubled, creating a greater demand on the local transit system. The new fare structure is designed to offset the growth, and help mitigate rising contract and fuel costs.
“Each year, we are seeing a marked increase in local transit ridership,” said Arlington Board Chairman Jay Fisette. “This fare adjustment is needed to maintain the safety and level of service that our riders have come to expect from Arlington’s transit services.”
Arlington’s proposal follows a recent decision by Washington Metropolitian Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to increase fares for its Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess services. Historically, Arlington County transit fare increases follow those of WMATA and are consistent with those of the region’s other transit providers. Contrary to WMATA’s plan, however, the County will eliminate a cash surcharge fee for ART passengers, capping the fare at $1.50. The cash surcharge creates a potential hardship for cash-paying customers who have limited resources.
New Fare Structure
Under the new fare structure, ART bus fares will increase from $1.25 with a SmarTrip card to $1.50. The tiered-fare structure established in 2006 for the STAR paratransit system will also be adjusted as follows:
- $2.50 to $3.00 for local trips (Zone 1)
- $3.00 to $4.00 for trips inside the Beltway (Zone 2)
- $7.00 to $8.50 for regional trips (Zone 3)
All fares are effective July 1, 2010.
Arlington County Board Members also approved a proposal that reserves the right of County staff to create a weekly pass for ART riders in the event that WMATA, ART and other regional providers are unable to come to an earned revenue reimbursement agreement for the WMATA weekly flash pass. This will ensure that ART receives revenue for rides provided to weekly pass users.
The Board vote was 5-0 to adopt the new fare structure.
Continued Demand for Transit
Since its inception in 1998, ART ridership has grown from 100,000 to more than 1.9 million riders annually. To meet the growing demand, ART now operates and maintains 20 heavy duty, low floor accessible buses. By October 2010, ART will add 12 similar new buses providing an enhanced travel experience for most riders.
Through STAR and MetroAccess, Arlington offers residents the most extensive array of paratransit services in the Washington Metropolitan region. During the fiscal year 2010, STAR provided more than 81,000 trips to Arlington residents and over 21,000 by MetroAccess.
Learn more about ART and STAR services.
Contact
Dennis Leach, 703-228-0588 or 571-722-3703 (cell)
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
