Gwinnett Transit Fares Going Up on Jan. 30

Gwinnett County Transit announced it will raise bus fares effective Jan. 30. The first increase since August 2008 is necessary because the cost to operate, maintain and fuel buses has risen over the years, according to Gwinnett Transit Director Phil Boyd.

Effective Jan. 30, The cost for a regular cash fare will be $2.50 or $22.50 for a 10-ride ticket book and $180 for a monthly pass. Half-price fares are available for individuals over 65, persons with disabilities or who have Medicare cards. For more information, see the pdf that accompanies this article.

Some of the higher expenses to operate the system must be passed along to transit customers, according to Boyd. The fare increase accomplishes Gwinnett’s goal that riders pay about a third of the entire cost to provide bus service with federal and state subsidies funding the remainder. By increasing fares, Gwinnett County Transit can avoid making cuts to transit service.

Gwinnett County Transit will continue to monitor ridership and make minor service adjustments as necessary to maintain cost-effective operations, the announcement stated.

The Gwinnett Transit Advisory Board (GTAB) conducted a public hearing to discuss the new fare and offered a three-week open comment period in September 2011. After reviewing costs, revenue projections and considering public comments, GTAB recommended the new fare policy to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, which approved it Nov. 15.