WEST HOLLYWOOD—On July 31, the City of West Hollywood will be increasing the subsidy of $6 to $12 for seniors and the disabled who purchased monthly Metro tickets. The City came together on July 21 to discuss the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) raised price of Metro tickets from $14 to $20 for a 30-day pass. According to the Los Angeles Metro’s website ridership statistics, the Orange Line saw a total of 675,901 boardings for the month of June.

 

The City of West Hollywood provided a discount that allowed seniors and those who were disabled to pay $8 to purchase a monthly pass for Metro. Since the LACMTA’s decision in May, the city of West Hollywood doubled the subsidies they provided for the seniors and disabled so that they would only pay $8 to purchase the 30-day pass.

 

Canyon News contacted City of West Hollywood Public Information Officer, Joshua Schare for additional details on the LACMTA’s increased pricing and West Hollywood’s actions in the face of the raised fare. Schare recalled that the City of West Hollywood first provided subsidies for their elderly and disabled residents during the mid-1980s. The last time fares were raised according to LA Metro was in 2007.

 

He cited the LA Metro’s FAQs, which states the Metro Board approved the fare increase as of September 1 in order to “help customers more effectively use the transit network and address a quickly growing operating deficit. The new base fare is $1.75. With the new fare system, customers can transfer between buses and trains within two hours of boarding—for free! The current fare system charges customers a full fare for transfers, which means base fare customers pay double ($3.00) to transfer.â€

 

Despite the raised fare, Schare believes that using Metro is still an affordable option considering car, lease payments, gas and maintenance, insurance, and parking costs. “The City of West Hollywood also offers a free CityLine (www.weho.org/cityline) shuttle available to all residents, as well as a Dial-A-Ride service for our seniors and disabled community members. We want to make it easier and more cost effective for people to use modes of transportation other than driving alone,” said Schare.

 

“The cost increase will affect all Metro bus lines, and the subsidized TAP card for West Hollywood seniors and disabled community members provides them with access to all bus lines as well,” he added.

 

The raised prices will come into affect on September 1, 2014. The bus pass subsidy is available to
West Hollywood residents who are either disabled or who are 62 or older. A press release from the City of West Hollywood explains that “the City’s Disabilities Advisory Board and Transportation Commission each supported the recommendation for increased buss pass subsidies.”

 

According to the City of West Hollywood’s bus fare page, West Hollywood residents that meet that criteria can visit West Hollywood City Hall with a photo ID, either a California Identification card or a passport, proof of their residency in West Hollywood. Such residency documents include a utility bill, bank statement, Medi-Cal or Medi-Care statement. These items including a valid Metro Senior/Disabled Orange TAP card should be taken to the third floor Bus Pass window of the West Hollywood City Hall building to sign up.

 

The program allows residents to purchase 30 to 60 days at a time. Those participating in the bus pass subsidy program for the first time are required to visit City Hall in person; those who have already applied for the subsidy program can mail in a check or money order made payable to the City of West Hollywood for $8 or $16.

 

Payment can be dropped off in the bus payment slots located on the third floor. If the payment is being sent through the mail, it must be sent at least 2 weeks prior to receiving a new bus pass. If using cash, credit, debit or checks, payments must be made in person at the first cashier window before they close at 4:30 p.m.

 

Those participating in the program can only activate their TAP cards by bringing them in to City Hall; if a payment has been mailed or the resident has paid for 60 days, the cards will be updated automatically. If a pass has been stolen or lost, it cannot be replaced, a new pass must be purchased from the LACMTA; either by visiting an LACMTA outlet or by mail for a $5 fee. City staff can provide assistance with mail applications by calling: (323) GOMETRO or at LACMTA locations.

 

City Hall is located on 8300 Santa Monica Blvd. between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.