Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
8/1/2013
Rail News: Passenger Rail
TransLink drops fare discounts that benefited only a few riders
TransLink is discontinuing several customer fare programs as part of an overhaul of its "fare tariff."
The agency's board made the changes out of a sense of "equity and fairness," said Bob Paddon, TransLink's executive vice president of strategic planning and public affairs, in a press release.
"We took a good hard look at our programs to determine which ones still make sense. We found some programs benefited a select few people and companies," he said.
Some of the programs to be discontinued were originally introduced at a time when TransLink needed to attract new customers, particularly when the Millennium Line opened in 1999 and following a strike in 2001.
Discount programs to be discontinued as of Jan. 1, 2014, include:
• the Employer Pass, which provided an extra 15 cent discount to members and required a 12-month commitment. Riders can continue to purchase monthly passes.
• Faresaver tickets, which will begin transitioning out on Jan. 1, 2014. A discount on regular fares will provided within the new stored valley option for Compass Cards.
• free travel for family members of monthly pass holders on Sundays and holidays.
• West Coast Express seven-day and 28-day passes.
• West Coast Express $1 fee for bikes. Riders will be able to transport bikes for free.