Metro bus fares to rise in 2 steps

Metro Transit riders are going to pay more to ride, but some of the pain will be delayed.

Fares will increase 25 cents on Feb. 1, followed by another 25 cents on Jan. 1, 2010, according to an ordinance unanimously approved Monday by the Metropolitan King County Council.

A two-zone adult peak fare — to commute between Seattle and the suburbs — will rise from $2.25 to $2.50 in February. Prices will also increase for monthly and yearly passes.

That's gentler than an earlier proposal to raise the fare a half-dollar early next year. By easing in its new rates, Metro would lose out on $11 million next year.

After the increases, bus riders will be paying 25 percent of Metro operating costs, said Councilman Larry Phillips, D-Seattle.

Metro faces a $90 million annual budget gap during the current downturn, said council analyst John Resha. High diesel prices earlier this year drove up costs, while sales-tax revenue declined. Bus drivers received raises in a new union contract.

Budget cuts, including some delayed maintenance projects and operating reductions, will be discussed in the next few weeks.

The transit agency is attempting to preserve bus-service increases promised in 2006, when voters passed the Transit Now sales-tax increase.

New service is to include RapidRide, a bus-rapid-transit service serving Aurora Avenue, Ballard, West Seattle, the SeaTac strip to Federal Way and Overlake areas during the early 2010s.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com