A transit system on the South Coast is looking at making its first fare increases in 16 years.
Santa Barbara’s Metropolitan Transit District currently charges $1.75 as its regular fare. It’s looking at two proposed alternatives.
One would raise the base fare from $1.75, to $2.25. The second would take it to $2.50. Rates for kids, and seniors would also go up, as would multiride passes.
MTD officials say rising operational costs make a hike necessary.
In addition, they say population growth in the region means the system no longer qualifies for about $3 million in annual federal funding designed to help service smaller communities.
The agency will hold a series of public meetings on the proposed hikes, with the first one at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Goleta Valley Community Center.
