SporTran is conducting a public hearing on Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 4:30 PM at the Shreveport City Council Chambers, Government Plaza, 505 Travis Street, Shreveport, to receive comment concerning its proposal to raise fares.

SporTran is proposing a fare increase to offset rising operation costs and fuel prices. Under the proposal, starting October 6, 2008, Adult fares will increase 25 cents, from $1.00 to $1.25. Transfer charges will stay the same, 25 cents. Seniors, students, and persons with disabilities fares will go up 10 cents to 60 cents. Adult Flash Passes will increase $5.00 from $35.00 to $40.00 for a 31 day unlimited rides pass. Discount Flash passes will increase from $17.50 to $20.00. Day passes will increase from $2.50 to $3.00 for unlimited daily rides. Event shuttles, such as 4^th of July, Rockets Over the Red, Barksdale Air Show will be $1.25 each way or $2.50 roundtrip. LiftLine, SporTran’s paratransit system’s one way fare will increase from $2.00 to $2.50.

The proposed increases will produce $258,000 more annually in revenues.

There has been no fare increase in almost 7 years. The last increase was January 2002.

Since the last fare increase: SporTran’s operating costs have increased 45%. Diesel fuel prices have risen from $1.06 per gallon to $4.11. Annual fuel cost will rise from $452,000 in 2002 to over $2,000,000 in 2008, at current rates. SporTran service has increased 9%, with the addition of job access night service.

Comments from the public hearing will be made available to the City Councils of Shreveport and Bossier City prior to their Council meetings to decide on amending the city ordinances to provide for the increase.

For more information contact: Gene Eddy, SporTran Manager @ 673.7400