Overview
- Trustees voted Tuesday night to halt any pursuit of fare-free programs, directly rejecting Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ request for a six-month pilot on the five busiest routes.
- VIA officials said fares provide under 5% of revenue yet eliminating them would raise operating costs and could put funding for the Green and Silver ART lines at risk.
- The agency’s CFO estimated a $10–18 million annual revenue loss or a $20–33 million operational impact from removing fares, with current fares at $1.30 per ride and $38 for a 31-day pass.
- CEO Jon Gary Herrera urged investment in frequency, reliability, safety, and long-term stability, noting 40% of riders already pay reduced fares and surveys show frequency outranks price.
- The transit union opposed the proposal, citing COVID-era fare suspensions that brought conflicts and dirtier buses, while council backers vowed to keep pressing even as one supporter questioned a path forward; VIA’s new Silver Line will be free for its first year under county funding.