Tuesday, March 07, 2000
Few oppose raising TANK's fare to $1
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT WRIGHT — The first fare increase for the TANK bus system in 18 years faces little opposition and could be approved this week.
Only two people offered public comment Monday on the plan to increase adult cash fares from 75 cents to $1.
The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky would gain $300,000 in revenue from the fare increase, said Mark Donaghy, general manager. TANK now generates $2.2 million a year from fares.
The additional money would help cover the increasing costs of serving a growing ridership, he said.
The TANK board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the increases, which include a jump of $1.75 for a 10-ride ticket book (from $7.25 to $9); a $5 increase for the TANK monthly pass (from $30 to $35) and a $10 increase for the Metro/Tank monthly pass (from $45 to $50).
Southbank Shuttle fares will also increase, from 25 cents to 50 cents.
There will be no increase in the 35-cent senior/disabled fares, the 75-cent RAMP fares and the 50-cent student fares.
Transfers will remain free.
If approved, the increases would take effect July 1.
Jimmy Williams, a member of the TANK advisory board, said he supported the fare increase.
“I believe this is a fair compromise,” Mr. Williams said.
The increase in revenue will reduce the amount of local tax money needed to operate the system, Mr. Donaghy said.
Passenger fares pay 22 percent of TANK's operating costs. The rest is covered by advertising revenues (7 percent) and local taxes collected in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties (71 percent).
Ridership has been growing between 4 percent and 5 percent a month for the past 18 months, Mr. Donaghy said. TANK expects to transport 4 million people this year. Average weekday ridership is between 13,000 and 14,000 people. Ridership increased 16 percent in 1999.
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