Feb. 25, 2008

When subway and bus fares increase throughout the New York metropolitan area this weekend, there will be a silver lining for many Westchester bus riders, according to County Executive Andy Spano. 

“All transfers between local bus routes will become free under the new fare schedule,” said Spano.  “Coin-fare passengers on the Bee-Line who currently pay an extra 25 cents for a transfer will see that surcharge disappear.”  Coin-passenger transfer tickets will be good for boarding other Bee-Line local routes and for transfers to New York City local buses. 

Effective Sunday, March 2, the basic Bee-Line coin fare will rise from $1.75 to $2.  A day earlier -- Saturday, March 1 -- the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will begin charging new prices for MetroCards which are also accepted on Bee-Line buses.

The price for a single-ride MetroCard will remain at $2.  However, multiple-ride MetroCards still provide rider discounts.  Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards worth $8 will sell for $7 bringing the effective cost of a bus ride down to $1.75.  MetroCards provide free transfers to local buses and between buses and New York City subways.  Unlimited Ride MetroCards will reduce the single ride cost even more for people who ride frequently. 

With this change, New York City and Westchester bus fares will be identical starting March 2.

“We have been seeing more and more riders using MetroCards as opposed to cash,” said County Transportation Commissioner Lawrence C. Salley.  “With the uniform pricing between cash fares and MetroCard single fares, we anticipate even more MetroCard users on our buses.”

The increase in the coin fare on Westchester buses is designed to offset fuel and labor costs that have increased significantly in the last year, and to help pay for additional service on routes that have experienced ridership increases.  

  “The new coin fare is expected to raise about half a million dollars a year,” Salley said. “This will help meet some of the annual increase in operating costs which has been approximately $5 million over the last few years.”

Qualified seniors and passengers with qualifying disabilities will be able to ride at half-fare on the county’s and the New York City buses, under both the coin and MetroCard reduced fare systems.  Reduced fare riders will pay $1 in coins and their transfers will also be free.  To transfer to subways, riders will need to use MetroCard.

MetroCards are sold at many neighborhood stores in Westchester, Metro-North train stations and New York City subway stations.

To find out more, call the Bee-Line Hotline at (914) 813-7777 or visit www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.