The price of a bus pass could be going up in the Lehigh Valley.
In order to meet state requirements and keep up with inflation, LANTA is proposing some fare increases.
Officials held a public meeting on Wednesday night to keep riders in the loop. 69 news reporter Amelia Sack was there.
At Wednesday night’s public meeting — riders got the chance to ask their questions and share their thoughts on the proposed fare increases.
LANTA is aiming to raise its rates.
The base fare has been $2 for 18 years. An increase will raise it to $2.50.
A day-pass has cost $4 for 12 years. Those would go to $5.
And a 31-day bus pass, which has been at $60 for 12 years, will climb to $70.
“It is something that we periodically have to do, to raise the fares, to kind of keep our fare revenue in line as costs go up,” says Owen O’Neil, Executive Director at LANTA.
LANTA was planning on implementing similar changes in 2020, but due to the pandemic, this was put to a halt.
“We ended up going in the reverse direction, ensuring people still had access to the system by making those deep discounted 31 day passes available,” said Darryl Lightner, Manager Of Communications And Strategic Initiatives at LANTA.
The proposed increases still need to go through an approval process with LANTA’s board.
Some people in attendance Wednesday night say they hope the changes don’t happen.
“Honestly I don’t think they need it at all,” said Quinn Allen of Allentown.
Quinn Allen takes the bus nearly every day. He voiced his opinion at the meeting, and he encourages other riders to share their thoughts too.
“I think if you take the bus, you should definitely make it to these meetings as often as you can,” said Allen.
If the increases are approved by the LANTA board next month, the changes could come as soon as late March.