Lane Transit District Increases Fare Subsidy for Non-Profits
Media Contact: Pat Walsh
Email: Pat.Walsh@LTD.org
Phone: 541-513-1326
With funds provided with the passage of House Bill 2017 by the Oregon State Legislature in 2019, Lane Transit District is making monthly bus passes even more affordable for the area’s low-income individuals and families beginning January 1, 2020.
For more than 10 years, LTD has provided a 50% subsidy to nonprofit organizations who purchase day and monthly bus passes for their low-income clients. Then in June 2019, the LTD Board of Directors voted to increase the subsidy to 75% by accessing funds made available through HB 2017. With the additional funding, nonprofit organizations receive a 75% subsidy on the day and monthly bus passes they buy for their low-income clients from LTD. With the additional state subsidy, nonprofit organizations serving low-income individuals and families will pay $12.50 per monthly bus pass, instead of $25 each. A regularly priced monthly LTD bus pass is $50 each.
“We have received positive feedback from parents, teachers, and school district staff regarding our new transportation assistance program, “Get On Board.” One patron, almost in tears, thanked us for making free bus passes available to their family. Other libraries have contacted us asking how they can implement similar programs. The Springfield Public Library values the role that our relationship with LTD has in helping remove transportation barriers for our community. The reduced pricing they offer makes this program possible.” said LuCinda Gustavson, Associate Manager, Springfield Public Library Foundation.
More than 42 nonprofit organizations participate in the low-income monthly bus pass program, including: Centro Latino Americano, Catholic Community Services, Cornerstone Community Housing, Looking Glass, Parenting Now, Shelter Care, and many more.
“Access to transportation is vital to all of us to live our best quality of life,” said Aurora Jackson, LTD’s General Manager. “We are pleased that the state legislature has made these funds available through LTD to support our neighbors who need access to public transportation for medical care, school, shopping, jobs, and other activities.”
All monthly passes will be issued using LTD TouchPass mobile app or an electronic tap card. LTD will no longer issue paper monthly bus passes after January 1, 2020.