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August
13, 2002 |
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MTA, Municipal Bus
Operators Launch
(Los
Angeles) - The MTA and municipal bus operators today took a huge step
toward providing bus and rail riders with seamless transit service
throughout Los Angeles County with the launch of the Regional EZpass, the
county's first regional pass program. Beginning
September 2002, transit riders will have the option of using the monthly
Regional EZpass for unlimited travel on the Metro Bus and Rail systems,
including the Metro Red, Blue and Green lines, and on the fixed route
systems of 11 municipal bus operators. The September Regional EZpass will
be available August 25 at most Metro Pass sales outlets and other outlets
countywide. "The
Regional EZpass will provide riders who regularly use two or more of the
12 participating bus and rail systems with a common 'currency' that
will simplify their commutes," said Hal Bernson, MTA Board Chair.
"Riders of multiple systems no longer will be forced to carry extra cash
or purchase additional transit passes and we believe the added simplicity
will encourage thousands of other commuters to try public transit." "The
Regional EZpass also will speed boardings and eliminate the need for
transfers and tickets," Bernson added. The
Regional EZpass will be priced at $58 for a regular monthly pass, $29 for
seniors, and $29 for the disabled (with appropriate identification
including either an MTA Disabled ID card, Medicare card, LACTOA card or
DMV placard). The Regional EZpass does not replace the individual transit
operator passes which will continue to be available. The
Regional EZpass will entitle the pass holder to unlimited local travel on
all MTA buses and trains and on the fixed route bus systems of the
following municipal transit operators: Culver City Municipal Bus Lines,
Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Gardena Municipal Bus Lines,
Commerce Municipal Bus Lines, Long Beach Transit, Norwalk Transit, Santa
Monica's Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, Santa Clarita Transit and LADOT
(Los Angeles Department of Transportation). The 12 transit systems operate
a total of 386 bus lines and serve nearly 31,000 bus stops. The
multi-operator task force that developed the Regional EZpass will
encourage the future participation of other local transit providers,
Metrolink and other counties. The cost of the program for fiscal year 2003
will be approximately $2 million, which will be paid from Proposition A
and C local transit sales tax funds. The
Regional EZpass represents the first major phase of a universal fare
system (UFS). Within three years, MTA will debut an electronic smart card
that will be accepted by the aforementioned transit providers, Metrolink
and paratransit service providers. MTA-072 |
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