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Last week, the St. Louis Metro board approved a two-part fare increase.

On Jan. 1, 2009, the agency will implement a 25-cent base fare hike, raising light-rail ticket prices to $2.25. Metro also will raise day passes from $4.50 to $7.50; weekly passes, from $19 to $23.50; and monthly passes, from $60 to $68.

In July 2010, the agency will implement a second fare increase, which calls for raising light-rail base fares to $2.50, day passes to $8, weekly passes to $25 and monthly passes to $70.

The board also discussed plans to cut service. Earlier this month, a ballot measure that aimed to raise the sales tax and provide additional dedicated revenue for Metro failed at the polls. The agency will further discuss service reductions next month.  

"Without an additional source of revenue that keeps pace with inflation, fare increases and service reductions have become necessary to create a transit system that operates within the agency's financial resources," said Metro President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Baer in a prepared statement.