Bus fare up from $1.25 to $1.50, with 15-cent increase for Medicare cardholders and persons age 65 and older
As of Thursday, Dec. 1, Sarasota County’s transit system fares have been raised for three of the four types of service, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) has announced.
“The new fares will better align with service features, industry trends, and the rising costs of doing business,” a news release explains.
The base bus fare increased from $1.25 to $1.50, the release points out.
Bus fare for Medicare cardholders and those age 65 and up rose from 60 cents to 75 cents, the release adds.
Remaining fares will be simplified, the release continues, as a result of the removal of daily, weekly and student semester bus passes.
“The half-price monthly bus pass will be phased out over a period of 18 months,” the release explains.
Children age 5 and under, along with seniors age 80 and older, will continue to be able to ride buses for free, the release points out.
The paratransit service fare will change from $2.50 to $3, the release adds, while the base OnDemand fare will increase from $1.25 to $2.
Children age 5 and younger also will continue to be able to ride for free on the OnDemand service, the release says.
A new Transportation Disadvantaged fare option will allow qualifying individuals to ride OnDemand for $1.50 each, the release points out.
The Siesta Key Breeze trolley will remain free, the release says.
Further, seasonal adjustments to route schedules will begin on Saturday, Dec. 3, the release continues. Those will include the return of Route 33 between Pinecraft and Siesta Key.
“The revisions accommodate changes in travel patterns and traffic volumes that result from visiting tourists and part-time residents,” the release explains.
For more information regarding services and employment opportunities, call 311 or visit scgov.net.