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Later this month, St. Louis MetroLink (Metro) plans to hold a series of public meetings to discuss and receive comments on a proposed 25-cent basic fare increase, from $1.25 to $1.50. The cost of transfers and one-day passes are not expected to increase.

The fare hike would help balance Metro’s fiscal-year 2005 operating budget without reducing the agency’s current service level, according to a prepared statement. Metro is facing a $6 million FY2005 revenue shortfall; the fare increase is expected to generate an additional $2 million in revenue.

"We’ve done a good job of controlling the growth of operating costs, but revenue projections are an estimated $6 million below projected expenses," said Metro President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Salci. "Metro’s management is faced with the task of maintaining existing transit service in a challenging economic environment that includes a decline in local sales taxes and a significant decrease in state subsidies."

Metro’s last fare increase was in 1998.