By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

To offset a projected $2.6 million budget deficit for 2004, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Wednesday proposed fare increases and schedule adjustments for Metro bus service.

Effective Feb. 1, 2004, the zone fare outside the city of Cincinnati would increase to 50 cents (from 30 cents) and the cost of a transfer to 15 cents (from 10 cents), Metro officials said.

The basic Metro bus fare would remain the same - 65 cents off-peak and 80 cents during rush hour, said Metro spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers.

Metro Route 79 - the Downtowner - would be eliminated effective March 7. The route, which circulates through downtown on weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. has experienced low ridership "for quite a while," Hilvers said.

SORTA is also preparing for the possible elimination of the Route 71/72 Paramount's Kings Island, effective Jan. 1, officials said. This service is funded by Warren County, the city of Mason and Deerfield Township, but the funding partners have not yet committed to funding for 2004.

While the transfer fee could increase by 5 cents, its use is being simplified, Metro officials said. Transfers will now be valid on any route in any direction for 1 to 11/2 hours. This change, officials said, should benefit customers who need to make a stop during their trip (such as dropping off a child at daycare), because they will not have to pay a second fare.

SORTA, which operates Metro and Access service for people with disabilities, is also proposing to expand all MetroCard monthly passes for use on weekends, as well as weekdays.

SORTA proposes several changes for Access service, including restricting some service and reducing hours, because of a $110,000 deficit incurred in 2003.

A public hearing on the proposed fare increases and other changes will be 4 p.m. Dec. 2 in the West Rooms at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, Fifth and Elm streets, downtown.

E-mail bweathers@enquirer.com