ANTELOPE VALLEY : Fares to Rise for Bus, Van Service

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority has voted to increase fares for bus and van service to raise money for services for the disabled and new bus routes.

The basic fare for a one-way bus trip will increase from 50 cents to 75 cents and the fare for Dial-a-Ride vans will go from 50 cents to $1.50, said Dolores Teubner, a transportation analyst for the recently created transit district.

The fare increases, approved on a 3-0 vote Tuesday by the agency’s board of directors, will not take effect until July 1, Teubner said. “We’re doubling service as of July 1 and we need to increase our collection” from fares, Teubner said.

In addition to funding new routes, the estimated $1.5 million raised through higher fares will help pay for wheelchair lifts for new buses, Teubner said.

The Transit Authority was created in March when representatives of Lancaster, Palmdale and unincorporated areas of the Antelope Valley agreed to take over bus service formerly run by the county.