County approves SCAT increases

The Sarasota County Commission approved increases in Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) fares Sept. 14 that will take effect Monday, Oct. 3.

The regular, one-way SCAT fare on fixed-route service, including the SCAT trolley, will increase from 75 cents to $1.25 per ride. Increases also will affect most of the regular, pass and special fares for SCAT fixed-route service, including discounted fares for seniors, Medicare recipients and persons with disabilities, and fares for SCAT Plus door-to-door paratransit service.

The last time SCAT increased its fares was in 2007.

Aside from the regular fixed-route, one-way fare increasing from 75 cents to $1.25, other fare increases include:

• One-way fixed-route reduced fare for persons with disabilities and adults 65 years and older or on Medicare – from 35 cents to 60 cents

• 30-day pass for unlimited rides during 30-day period starting with first use – regular fare from $40 to $50 (proposed $55); pass for persons with disabilities, adults 65 years and older or on Medicare – from $20 to $25 (proposed $27)

• 7-day pass for unlimited rides during seven-day period starting with first use – regular fare from $15 to $20; pass for persons with disabilities, adults 65 years and older or on Medicare – from $7.50 to $10

• Day pass for unlimited rides – from $3 to $4 (proposed $5)

• Paratransit fare from $1.50 to $2.50 per ride

• Liberty (Transportation Disadvantaged or TD) Pass for unlimited rides during 30-day period starting from first use – from $4 to $8.

Also, on SCAT buses in Sarasota County, up to two children 5 years old and under ride free when accompanied by a paying passenger. The fare for each additional child accompanied by the paying passenger will increase from 35 cents to 60 cents.

Not changing are the cost of the SCAT Express bus service pass (regular $85; reduced $47), which is good for 30 days of unlimited service on all SCAT buses in Sarasota County, and the R-Card (regular $60; reduced $30), which is good for 30 days of unlimited services in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The R-Card is not accepted on SCAT Express buses.

Later this year, SCAT will introduce a student pass that will be available for fall, spring and summer semesters of the school year. The cost is $30 for each semester. Students under age 18 or anyone with valid student identification (ID) are eligible for the pass.

The fare increases are intended to keep SCAT operating at least at the current level of services through fiscal year 2012.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000 or visit the website at www.scgov.net/scat.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].