Student, adult CATA fares to rise

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Local bus rides will become pricier in April.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted Wednesday to increase fares by 25 percent for adults and 10 percent for student semester passes to balance budget costs.

Starting April 7, student fares will increase from 50 to 60 cents, adult fares will go from $1 to $1.25 and student semester passes will rise from $45 to $50.

“There’s a revenue shortfall, and it’s been just a tough circle,” said Sandy Draggoo, CATA’s Chief Executive Officer and executive director.

Draggoo said the last time CATA raised its base fares was in 1994, despite its ridership increasing by about 6.6 million in the past 10 years.

“The costs CATA is incurring, especially for fuel and the reduction of money from the state, is causing a shortfall in their budget,” said Mike Rice, MSU’s representative on the CATA Board of Directors.

Rice said CATA has avoided fare increases in the past by generating support from the state and local millage increases.

CATA was unsuccessful in its attempt to get a property tax millage increase in November.

The bus system has held several hearings in the Lansing area, including three committee meetings on campus, for feedback on the proposed increase.

“Students at the hearings asked some really good questions about the budget, money and how CATA can get its costs under control,” Rice said. “I think they’ve grudgingly accepted that this is necessary.”

Residence Hall Association President Mark Dobson said CATA’s decision came on a rapid timeline.

“What’s been the status quo for 10 years was being changed in two months,” Dobson said.

East Lansing resident Heather Maddox said she feels the rate increase will become more significant with time.

“I’m a little disappointed,” Maddox said.

“It’s probably going to have more of an effect on the money I spend than I would like to think it would.”

Staff writer Eric Chiu contributed to this report.

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