By Jorge Casuso

August 18, 2010 – The Big Blue Bus on Tuesday launched a new online store that allows customers to purchase transit passes on-line and later this month will raise fares by 25 cents.

The fare hike – which represents only the second increase for most passengers in 25 years -- will help the system maintain its high level of service during tough economic times, transit officials said.

"Providing the best service possible is always one of our key goals," said Dan Dawson, Big Blue Bus customer relations manager. “The agency is not looking to passengers to close the budget gaps, but is continuing to identify ways to increase local revenue sources, and to help reduce costs through operating efficiencies.”

Starting August 29, cash fares for most regular passengers and students using local service will rise from 75 cents to $1, while Express service will increase from $1.75 to $2. The rate hike marks only the second increase to the base fares for students and regular riders in the last quarter century.

For senior, disabled and Medicare passengers who pay cash when boarding, the cost will rise from 25 cents to 50 cents, marking the first increase to the senior/disabled/Medicare fare in 25 years.

As part of the fare restructure, Little Blue Cards, Student Punch Cards and certain types of Day Passes (Student and Express) are no longer being sold.

Instead, the bus system will introduce the 13 Rides Pass and the 30 Day Pass, a pre-purchased card that can be activated at any time and is available as a 30 Day Local Pass for riders who only ride the local service.

Both passes – which require advance purchase before boarding -- came about as a result of discussions held earlier this year at community meetings throughout the Big Blue Bus service area. Reduced rate versions of these passes are available for students and senior/disabled/Medicare passengers.

“The new 30 Day Pass fits the bill for riders who want the ability to ride an unlimited number of times during a 30-day time period,” transit officials said in a statement Tuesday.

The 30 Day Pass includes entry to all Local lines and the Line 10 Express bus connecting downtown Santa Monica with downtown Los Angeles.

The 13 Rides Pass gives passengers 13 rides for the price of 12, and is designed for those who travel less frequently but want the convenience of a using a pass instead of searching for exact change.

The Big Blue Bus will continue offering its popular Day Pass, which allows for unlimited rides on both Local and Express lines for one convenient price. The Day Pass is designed for riders who want to take more than two trips a day, and who prefer the convenience of using a pass instead of paying cash for each ride.

"Using passes really helps to streamline the entire fare collection process, which keeps the buses running on time," Dawson said.

The Big Blue Bus’ new online store will allow passengers to purchase all three types of passes the agency offers. Later this year, the online offerings will be expanded to include Getaway tickets and Big Blue Bus-themed merchandise and souvenirs.

Big Blue Bus passes can be purchased at Blue: The Transit Store, located at 223 Broadway near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and also online at BigBlueBus.com.

Various resale locations, including many local schools and libraries, also carry certain types of Big Blue Bus passes. A complete listing of sites can be found at BigBlueBus.com.

"Using passes really helps to streamline the entire fare collection process, which keeps the buses running on time"
   Dan Dawson

"The new 30 Day Pass fits the bill for riders who want the ability to ride an unlimited number of times during a 30-day time period"
   Transit officials