Contact: Kevin Elwood
Phone: (336) 412-6309

 Greensboro Transit Authority Bus Fares to Increase Beginning July 1

GREENSBORO, NC – (May 15, 2008) – Greensboro Transit Authority has announced new GTA and SCAT fares beginning July 1, 2008. As part of a previously approved plan, an adult one-way trip on GTA or SCAT will increase 10 cents, senior citizen and disability one-way trips on GTA will increase five cents, and student fares will increase 10 cents. Transfers on GTA will remain free of charge.

For a full listing of fare changes, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/gta.

The increase in fares for GTA and SCAT, part of a three-tiered increase plan, were approved in December of 2006 and January 2007 respectively by the GTA Board and the Greensboro City Council as part of the city's ongoing commitment to public transportation in Greensboro. The new fare structure will be in place until the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year. A third and final increase will be implemented on July 1, 2009.
 
GTA, like transit systems around the country, has seen steady increases in both the annual number of persons using public transportation and the associated costs of serving riders, most notably spiking fuel costs.
 
“Increasing costs have become the norm in our economy, but the minimal rate of fare increases by Greensboro public transportation has all along been a delightful exception for riders,” said Kevin Elwood, Strategic Information Specialist with Greensboro Transit Authority. "While general fuel prices have increased just over 200 percent since 1998, the GTA fares rising to $1.20 in 2008 will have increased by 20 percent during that same period, below even the rate of inflation. Even with a slight increase in bus fares, it is still the best deal in town when you compare it with the skyrocketing cost of a gallon of gas.”

GTA receives approximately 12 percent of its operating revenue directly from fares. With the increase, the dollars will rise slightly, but the bulk of the funding will continue to come from local tax support and federal funding. Discount passes will continue to be available for transit users that offer savings of 60 percent or more. 
 
The Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT) seeks to increase public safety and mobility through the effective planning and delivery of transportation services and operation of municipal transit. For more information about GDOT, contact us at (336) 373-GDOT (4368) or visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/gdot.

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.