The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) has implemented a new permanent fare structure on Metro Micro while Green Mountain Transit (GMT) is delaying fare collection on its public transit buses due to continued technical issues in the agency’s fare collection app and the city of Mississauga, Ontario, will be raising fares to help fund further improvements in transit service delivery.
L.A. Metro
L.A. Metro has ended the introductory $1 fare on Metro Micro, as the agency has implemented a new permanent fare structure that is designed to better integrate Metro Micro within L.A. Metro’s existing bus and rail system.
Under the new fare system, standard fares will rise from $1 to $2.50 per ride. L.A. Metro will introduce a range of special discounts for riders enrolled in Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE), GoPass and a range of other programs to ensure Metro Micro is accessible to those who need it most.
The three-year Metro Micro pilot was launched in December 2020 with an introductory $1 fare. L.A. Metro says the $1 fare was partly to promote the program and partly in recognition of the economic impact COVID-19 had on riders. The temporary $1 fare was planned to continue for the first six months of the program. However, continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic caused the agency to extend the introductory rate for much longer than originally planned.
The new fare structure on Metro Micro is as follows:
- Transfers will be free when riders transfer from Metro Micro to the Metro bus and rail system. Riders must use a TAP card to take advantage of the benefit. The transfer is good for two hours and works both ways.
- Participants in the LIFE program will now be able to use the 20 free rides they receive as a program benefit to ride free on Metro Micro. After those 20 free rides are used, LIFE participants will pay the base fare of $2.50. Under the new fare structure, a ride on LIFE covers the full cost of the Metro Micro ride and riders’ transfers within the two-hour window.
- GoPass and Reduced Fare cardholders will be able to continue to ride Metro Micro at the $1 rate.
- EZ Transit, a monthly pass for local travel on several public transit carriers throughout Los Angeles County, will offer transfers to Metro Micro. EZ Transit Pass Base riders can transfer to Metro Micro with a $0.75 upcharge and EZ Transit Pass Zone 1 or higher riders will be able to ride Metro Micro at no additional charge.
- Passengers transferring from partner transit agencies to Metro Micro (interagency transfers) will pay $1.25 ($0.50 transfer fee plus $0.75 upcharge).
- Metro Micro rides will also be recognized for transfers to and from other transit agencies based on each one’s existing interagency transfer agreements and the fees applicable for transfers with existing Metro bus and rail services.
- Customers can also transfer to L.A. Metro partner transit agencies –– 23 in all –– from Metro Micro the same way they do for bus and rail for a more seamless travel experience.
To date, Metro Micro has provided more than 1.7 million rides.
GMT
GMT is delaying fare collection on its public transit buses due to continued technical issues causing a delay in the agency’s fare collection app. Fare Collection was expected to start on March 6. The agency will issue a new fare resumption date as soon as it has a confirmed launch date for the Ride Ready app. GMT says the resumption date will be set approximately four to six weeks after the app becomes available to give passengers time to transition to the new system.
When fare collection resumes on GMT transit buses, the new fare structure will be as follows:
- Single Fare: Regular- $2, Discounted- $1
- Daily Fare Cap: Regular- $4, Discounted- $2
- Monthly Fare Cap: Regular- $50, Discounted: $25
GMT will not cap cash fares.
City of Mississauga
Beginning April 1, the city of Mississauga will be raising transit fares to help fund further improvements in transit service delivery.
The city is investing nearly C$4 million (US$2.9 million) towards MiWay transit service improvements in 2024 to respond to increased ridership demand, customer needs and future growth, including an additional 57,000 more MiWay service hours to improve reliability and increase service capacity on MiWay’s routes. The city is also planning for nearly C$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) in capital work during the next 10 years to build more bus stops and shelters, as well as maintain and expand transit infrastructure throughout the city.
In addition, Mississauga is advancing key transit projects, including Lakeshore Higher Order Transit and Dundas Bus Rapid Transit, and investing C$85.2 million (US$62.7 million) for hybrid bus acquisitions to replace older diesel buses with low or zero-emission vehicles to support the city’s Climate Change Action Plan goals.
The city is also improving the transit customer experience by constructing 30 more standard bus shelters in Mississauga and constructing 36 enhanced bus shelters along major roadways that are larger, heated and provide more seating.
On May 1, 2023, MiWay introduced a pilot program that makes transit service in Mississauga even more affordable. The program allows children ages six to 12 to ride MiWay for free with a valid PRESTO card and a C$1 (US$0.74) all-day fare for seniors 65 and older.
The following changes to MiWay fares will be effective April 1, 2024:
- Cash Fare- C$4 (US$2.95)
- PRESTO Open Payment Fare- C$4 (US$2.95)
- Youth PRESTO Single Fare- C$2.45 (US$1.80)
- Adult PRESTO Single Fare- C$3.20 (US$2.36)
- Adult PRESTO Monthly Pass- C$131 (US$96.5)
As of Feb. 26, 2024, Ontario’s One Fare Program provides transit riders with free transfers when connecting to and from MiWay and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit and Durham Region Transit. The program delivers significant benefits for MiWay customers who want to transfer between MiWay and the TTC at any location where the two services connect.
